Irish singer-songwriter Glen Hansard, best known for starring in the 2007 indie darling “Once” and winning an Oscar for “Falling Slowly,” the film’s original song along with co-star Markéta Irglová, has died. He was 56.Hansard died Wednesday morning following a motorcycle crash in Dublin, according to the Associated Press. “Glen’s family is deeply shocked and heartbroken by this tragic loss. As this matter remains the subject of an active Garda investigation, no further comment will be made at this time,” ATC management said in a statement to the Irish Times. While making a name for himself in Ireland with his band The Frames, he also starred in the 1991 Alan Parker film, “The Commitments.” While the Frames never officially disbanded, Hansard released albums as a duo with Irglová under the Swell Season moniker and as a solo artist.Hansard was nominated for a Grammy for Best Folk Album in 2026 and recently released a live career retrospective album titled, “Don’t Settle – Transmission East & West.”He is survived by his wife, poet Maire Saaritsa and a 4-year-old son, Christy.In an interview with The Times in 2025 he talked about how the birth of his son radically shifted his perspective. “It made me think much more about staying alive,” he said.”This is a developing story that will be updated.
