Irish singer-songwriter Glen Hansard, a celebrated musician best known for his Academy Award-winning work on the 2007 film "Once," has died at the age of 56. His management confirmed that he passed away following a motorcycle crash on the outskirts of Dublin early Wednesday morning.
Local authorities reported that a man in his 50s was involved in a single-vehicle motorcycle accident in Lucan, located on the western edge of the Irish capital, shortly before 4:30 a.m. on Wednesday. Although emergency responders treated the man at the scene, he was pronounced dead a short time later. While police did not release his name, his management team at ATC Management informed broadcaster RTE that his family is "deeply shocked and heartbroken" by the loss.
Hansard’s career spanned decades, beginning with his early days as a busker on the streets of Dublin. He became a well-known figure for his leadership of the annual Christmas Eve busk outside the Gaiety Theatre, which brought together prominent Irish musicians to raise funds for homelessness charities. His acting career included a role as a member of a Dublin soul band in the 1991 film "The Commitments." However, he achieved global recognition for the indie musical "Once," a story about two struggling musicians. He and his co-star, Markéta Irglová, co-wrote the film's music, and in 2008, he received an Academy Award for the song "Falling Slowly." The film was later adapted into a Broadway musical, which secured eight Tony Awards in 2012.
Beyond his film work, Hansard was the longtime frontman for the rock band The Frames and performed as one half of the duo The Swell Season with Irglová. His solo work also garnered critical acclaim, including a 2016 Grammy nomination for Best Folk Album for "Didn't He Ramble."
Tributes have poured in from across the music and political worlds. Bruce Springsteen expressed his grief on Instagram, describing Hansard as "a great musician, a good friend and a generous and gracious man." Former Irish President Michael D. Higgins lauded him as a "wonderful musician and performer" who was deeply committed to addressing societal issues. Catherine Connolly, President of Ireland, noted that Hansard was a "vital driving influence of the Irish music world," while actor and comedian Chris O'Dowd credited him for making "the tough times more manageable" through his music. Hansard was also remembered for his memorable 2023 performance of "Fairytale Of New York" at the funeral of The Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan.
Hansard is survived by his wife, the Finnish poet Maire Saaritsa, and their 3-year-old son, Christy.
