Glen Hansard, Oscar-Winning ‘Once’ Musician, Dead at 56

Irish singer-songwriter Glen Hansard, who achieved international fame starring in the 2007 drama Once, has died in a motorcycle crash at the age of 56. His death was confirmed by ATC Management, who represented Hansard.

“Glen’s family is deeply shocked and heartbroken by this tragic loss and respectfully requests privacy at this extremely difficult time,” their statement reads. “The family is grateful for the support they have received and wishes to thank the emergency services who attended the scene. As this matter remains the subject of an active Garda investigation, no further comment will be made at this time.”

Hansard, who also fronted rock band The Frames, died on Wednesday after an incident in Dublin. Gardaí and emergency services were called to the scene shortly before 4.30 a.m. after receiving reports of a single vehicle collision.

The singer-songwriter won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for “Falling Slowly,” which he wrote and performed in Once alongside his co-star and former partner Markéta Irglová.

Hansard had been active in music up until his death and released the second volume of his album Don+t Settle – Transmissions East & West last month.

He was born in Ballymun, Dublin, in 1970 and began his career busking on the streets of the Irish capital as a teenager. He formed The Frames in 1990 and first came to wider attention when he starred in Alan Parker’s The Commitments as guitarist Outspan Foster.

But it was 2007’s Once that proved to be one of Hansard’s most beloved and enduring works. John Carney’s film followed Hansard and Irglová as two struggling musicians in Dublin who slowly fall in love. The film grossed $23 million worldwide.

In 2022, he announced the birth of his son, Christy, with his partner, Finnish poet Maire Saaritsa. Paying tribute, The Waterboys’ Mike Scott said: “Just heard that Glen Hansard has died. Travel on well, Buddy. You made your dreams come true. I’m so sorry that he leaves his wife and 3-year-old child.”

Hansard was also admired by artists such as Joni Mitchell and Bruce Springsteen, memorably performing with the latter on a live cover of “Drive All Night” at Kilkenny’s Downlan Park in 2013. He also performed “Fairytale Of New York” alongside Lisa O’Neill at Shane MacGowan’s funeral in December 2023.

This story is developing