LONDON, United Kingdom – Irish singer-songwriter Glen Hansard, the Academy Award-winning musician best known for co-writing the Oscar-winning song “Falling Slowly” for the film Once, has died following a motorcycle crash near Dublin. He was 56.
Hansard’s management, ATC Management, confirmed his death to Irish broadcaster RTÉ, saying his family was “deeply shocked and heartbroken.”
Irish police said a man in his 50s died in a single-vehicle motorcycle crash in Lucan, west of Dublin, shortly before 4:30 a.m. Wednesday. Emergency responders treated the motorcyclist at the scene, but he was pronounced dead a short time later. Police did not publicly identify the victim.
Oscar-Winning Career Spanned Music and Film
Hansard built an international reputation as both a musician and actor.
He appeared in the 1991 film The Commitments, portraying a member of a Dublin soul band before achieving worldwide recognition through the independent musical drama Once.
Hansard and Czech musician Markéta Irglová co-wrote “Falling Slowly,” which won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2008.
Once later inspired a Broadway musical featuring songs by Hansard and Irglová. The production won eight Tony Awards in 2012, including Best Musical.
Beyond his film work, Hansard spent decades as the frontman of Irish rock band The Frames and later performed with Irglová as one half of the duo The Swell Season.
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His solo career included the album Didn’t He Ramble, which received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Folk Album in 2016.
Tributes Honor His Legacy
Tributes from across Ireland and the international music community followed news of Hansard’s death.
Bruce Springsteen said on Instagram he was “heartbroken” by the loss of “a great musician, a good friend and a generous and gracious man.”
Ireland’s President Catherine Connolly described Hansard as one of the country’s leading singer-songwriters, saying he had been “one of the vital driving influences of the Irish music world, bringing people together in the sharing of live music.”
Actor and comedian Chris O’Dowd said Hansard’s music helped people through difficult moments, writing that his songs made “the tough times more manageable, the stagnant times more beautiful, and the joyful times even more memorable.”
Former Irish President Michael D. Higgins remembered Hansard as “a wonderful musician and performer” who also consistently encouraged public discussion of important social issues.
Commitment to Music and Community
Hansard began his career busking on the streets of Dublin before becoming internationally recognized.
He also led the annual Christmas Eve busk outside Dublin’s Gaiety Theatre, an event that brought together musicians and members of the public to raise money for a homelessness charity.
In 2023, Hansard performed “Fairytale of New York” alongside Irish singer Lisa O’Neill during the funeral of The Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan, a performance that became one of Ireland’s most memorable recent public musical tributes.
Hansard is survived by his wife, Finnish poet Maire Saaritsa, and their 3-year-old son, Christy.
His work as a songwriter, performer and actor left a lasting influence on Irish music, independent filmmaking and live performance, with songs that resonated with audiences around the world.
This report is based on reporting by The Associated Press.
