Glen Hansard, the Oscar-winning Irish singer-songwriter renowned for his role in the 2007 musical drama "Once" and the film's signature song "Falling Slowly," has died at the age of 56. His management confirmed his death to Irish broadcaster RTÉ on Wednesday, stating that his family was "deeply shocked and heartbroken."
According to Irish police, a man in his 50s was killed in a single-vehicle motorcycle crash in Lucan, on the outskirts of Dublin, before 4:30 a.m. Wednesday. First responders attended to the rider at the scene but pronounced him dead shortly after.
Hansard's career gained international recognition with "Once," a film that became a global success and featured "Falling Slowly." The song, co-written and performed with Markéta Irglová, earned them the Academy Award for best original song in 2008.
Born in Dublin in 1970, Hansard began his musical journey as a teenager, busking on the city streets. In 1990, he founded The Frames, a band that garnered a dedicated following over several decades. His acting career also began around this time, with a role as guitarist Outspan Foster in the 1991 film "The Commitments."
Following the success of "Once," Hansard and Irglová formed the duo The Swell Season, while Hansard also pursued a solo career. His 2015 album "Didn't He Ramble" received a Grammy nomination for Best Folk Album.
Hansard was also known for his deep connection to Dublin's music community. He organized an annual Christmas Eve charity busking event outside the Gaiety Theatre to benefit the Dublin Simon Community. In December 2023, he performed "Fairytale of New York" with Lisa O'Neill at the funeral of Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan.
Internationally, Hansard's reach extended to collaborations with artists like Bruce Springsteen, joining him onstage in 2013. Tributes have poured in from across Ireland, including from Prime Minister Micheál Martin, who described Hansard as a "talented musician and actor who made a significant contribution to Ireland's cultural landscape."
Hansard is survived by his partner, Finnish poet Maire Saaritsa, and their son, Christy, born in 2022. His career spanned from street performances to the Academy Awards stage, leaving a significant mark on Irish music.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.