Glen Hansard, the Irish musician known for his role in the 2007 film "Once" and for winning an Oscar for the song "Falling Slowly," passed away on Wednesday in a motorcycle accident.He was 56 years old.
According to the BBC, Hansard was involved in a single-vehicle crash in his hometown of Dublin early on Wednesday morning.
Emergency services were called around 4:30 a.m., and the police are now asking for witnesses.
ATC Management, the company representing Hansard, shared a statement saying, "With broken hearts, we announce the passing of Glen Hansard, who passed away in the early hours of this morning following a road traffic accident in Dublin.
Glen’s family is deeply shocked and heartbroken by this tragic loss and respectfully requests privacy during this difficult time.The family is thankful for the support they have received and wishes to thank the emergency services who were at the scene."
Hansard was known for his strong, emotional voice that often contrasted with his gentle and poetic songwriting.
He was part of the Irish rock band the Frames and the folk duo Swell Season.In 2007, he starred with his Swell Season bandmate, Czech singer Markéta Irglová, in the low-budget musical drama "Once." The film, written and directed by John Carney, tells the story of two struggling musicians in Dublin who fall in love.Hansard and Irglová wrote and performed all the music for the film.The song "Falling Slowly" won them the Oscar for best original song at the 80th Academy Awards.A Broadway version of the film later won eight Tonys, including best musical.
Hansard was born and raised in Dublin and left school at 13 to start busking and formed the Frames in 1990.
The following year, he gained international attention as guitarist Outspan Foster in the BAFTA-winning musical film "The Commitments," which follows a young musician in North Dublin who forms a soul band of working-class kids.Hansard focused on music with the Frames, releasing seven albums between 1991 and 2006, until he starred in 2007’s "Once," which greatly increased his fame.
As a solo artist, he toured with Eddie Vedder in 2011 and released his first solo album, "Rhythm and Repose," in 2012 through Anti Records.
His next album, "Didn’t He Ramble," which came out in 2015, was nominated for a Grammy for best folk album.He went on to release three more solo albums: "Between Two Shores" (2018), "This Wild Willing" (2019), and "All That Was East Is West of Me Now" (2023).In 2025, he released another Swell Season album with Irglová, titled "Forward."
Although Hansard did not appear in another major movie after "Once," he continued working in TV and film.
He recorded a cover of Bob Dylan’s "You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere" for Todd Haynes’ "I’m Not There" in 2007, voiced an Irish busker in a 2008 episode of "The Simpsons," made a documentary about Swell Season with Irglová in 2011, played himself in a 2012 episode of "Parenthood," appeared on a 2016 episode of "The Last Man on Earth" titled "Falling Slowly," and contributed to the soundtrack for Sean Penn’s 2021 film "Flag Day." Recently, he made a cameo in "Power Ballad," the latest film by "Once" director John Carney, starring Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas, which was released in May.
In April, Hansard played a sold-out show at New York City’s Bowery Ballroom, where he had Rachel Zegler, star of "Snow White," sing "Falling Slowly" with him.
Zegler shared a tribute on Instagram with a video of their performance, writing, "Oh I will love you forever."
Bruce Springsteen, who had performed with Hansard and covered his 1980 hit "Drive All Night," also posted a tribute on Instagram.
He wrote, "Here on E Street, we are heartbroken over the death of Glen Hansard.We met in Ireland many years ago and he was always nothing but a great musician, a good friend and a generous and gracious man.Always positive, smiling and ready to sing.God bless him and his loved ones."
Hansard is survived by his partner, poet Maire Saaritsa, and their 3-year-old son.
