Glen Hansard, the Irish musician and actor who starred in the critically acclaimed 2007 film 'Once,' died in a motorcycle accident. He was 56.
Hansard was the frontman for the Irish rock band The Frames and also performed as part of the duo The Swell Season with musician Markéta Irglová. He and Irglová played characters loosely based on themselves in 'Once,' a film that depicted musicians falling in love. Their real-life romantic relationship developed during the film's production, though it later ended, they remained friends and collaborators, releasing a record together last year.
While 'Once' was not Hansard's first film — he had a notable supporting role in the 1991 film 'The Commitments' — he largely avoided acting for years afterward, reportedly unnerved by the sudden fame from that earlier role. His former bandmate from The Frames, John Carney, who had transitioned to filmmaking, later developed the concept for 'Once.' Initially, Carney approached Hansard to write songs and offer insights into busking. When the original lead actor, Cillian Murphy, withdrew, Hansard was persuaded to take on the role, becoming a key collaborator in the project.
The production of 'Once' spanned several years but was filmed in just 17 days on a modest budget. It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2007 before its wide release in the spring and summer of that year. The film arrived during a period of resurgence for movie musicals in the U.S. box office, following successes like 'Moulin Rouge!' and 'Chicago.'
Unlike many contemporary musicals that were adaptations of Broadway shows, 'Once' shared more in common with experimental musicals and musical biopics of the era. The film's focus on the creative process and collaboration, particularly the intimate scenes between Hansard and Irglová, set it apart. One notable scene features the pair developing and performing the song "Falling Slowly" in a music shop, with the camera work emphasizing their growing confidence and connection.
The success of 'Once' hinged on the authenticity of Hansard and Irglová's performances, both as actors and musicians. Despite having less prior acting experience than the role's initial casting choice, Hansard's established musical credibility proved essential for the part.
Hansard achieved further recognition when "Falling Slowly" earned him an Academy Award for Best Original Song. He continued his music career, touring and releasing new material, though he did not pursue major acting roles again, with a small part in the musical film 'Cyrano' being an exception.
'Once' concluded with a bittersweet, unconsummated romance, focusing instead on the musical connection between its protagonists. Hansard's untimely death echoes the film's theme of time seeming too brief, drawing a parallel between the fleeting moments in the movie and the real-life loss of the artist.