The acclaimed Irish musician, best known for Once, The Commitments and the Oscar-winning song “Falling Slowly”, has died at the age of 56
Irish singer-songwriter and actor Glen Hansard has died following a motorcycle crash in Dublin. He was 56.
His management confirmed the news, saying the accident occurred on Wednesday and announcing his death “with broken hearts”.
Hansard was one of Ireland’s most respected cultural figures, building an international career spanning more than three decades across music, film and theatre.
He became known around the world through the 2007 independent film Once, in which he starred alongside Czech musician Markéta Irglová. Their song “Falling Slowly” won the Academy Award for Best Original Song.
From Dublin’s streets to international acclaim
Born in Ballymun, north Dublin, on April 21, 1970, Hansard began performing at a young age.
He left school and played music on the streets of Dublin before founding the rock group The Frames in 1990.
The band became one of the most influential acts in Ireland’s alternative music scene, earning a loyal following through its emotional songwriting and energetic live performances.
Hansard’s early film breakthrough came with Alan Parker’s The Commitments, in which he played guitarist Outspan Foster, a member of a fictional Dublin soul band.
The role introduced him to international audiences, although music remained the central focus of his career.
The success of Once
Hansard’s greatest international success arrived with Once, directed by John Carney.
The low-budget film followed the relationship between two struggling musicians in Dublin and became an unexpected global success.
Hansard not only played the lead role but also helped create the soundtrack with Irglová.
“Falling Slowly” became the film’s signature song and earned the pair an Oscar in 2008 for Best Original Song.
The story was later adapted into a successful stage musical, further extending the cultural impact of Hansard’s work.
The Swell Season and solo career
Hansard and Irglová also performed together as The Swell Season, releasing albums and touring internationally.
He later developed a successful solo career, producing records that combined folk, rock and deeply personal storytelling.
His 2015 album Didn’t He Ramble received a Grammy nomination, confirming his reputation as one of Ireland’s most distinctive contemporary songwriters.
Throughout his career, Hansard was admired for the intensity of his performances, his unmistakable voice and his ability to transform personal experience into songs with universal appeal.
Tributes from Ireland
Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin said he was “deeply saddened” by the singer’s death.
He described Hansard as a gifted musician and actor who had made a fundamental contribution to Irish culture over many years.
Tributes have also begun arriving from fellow musicians, actors, filmmakers and fans, many remembering his generosity, artistic integrity and support for younger performers.
For Ireland, his death represents the loss of an artist whose journey reflected the country’s modern cultural identity: from street performer to rock frontman, film star and Academy Award winner.
A legacy beyond the Oscar
Although “Falling Slowly” brought him worldwide recognition, Hansard’s legacy extends far beyond one song or award.
He helped bring Irish independent music to international audiences and remained closely connected to Dublin throughout his career.
His work frequently explored love, disappointment, perseverance and the need to keep moving forward despite failure.
That honesty made him a deeply influential figure for musicians in Ireland and abroad.
Hansard is survived by his wife and their three-year-old child.
His death brings to an end a remarkable career, but the music he created with The Frames, The Swell Season and as a solo artist will continue to carry his voice far beyond the streets of Dublin where it first began.