Glen Hansard, the Irish singer-songwriter who won an Academy Award for the film Once and led the rock band The Frames, has died following a motorcycle accident in Dublin. He was 56 years old.
Glen Hansard, a prominent figure in Irish music for over four decades, died early Wednesday morning following a single-vehicle motorcycle collision in west Dublin, according to his management company ATC Management. Emergency services responded shortly before 4:30 a.m., and the musician was pronounced dead after receiving treatment at the scene. He is survived by his wife Maire Saaritsa and their three-year-old son Christy.
Hansard's most prominent achievement came in 2008 when he won the Academy Award for Best Original Song alongside Marketa Irglova for "Falling Slowly" from the indie film Once. The low-budget movie, shot with handheld cameras and featuring Hansard's compositions and performances, brought his work to a global audience. The film was later adapted into a Broadway musical that won eight Tony Awards in 2012. Prior to his breakthrough in cinema, Hansard had established himself as the lead singer of The Frames, which he formed in 1990, and later pursued a solo career that earned him a Grammy nomination in 2016.
Tributes from prominent figures highlighted both his musical contributions and humanitarian efforts. Bruce Springsteen, who performed alongside Hansard, called him a "great musician, a good friend and a generous and gracious man." U2 frontman Bono described him as "a smiling rascal" and praised his commitment to helping people experiencing homelessness. Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin recognized his significant impact on Ireland's cultural landscape.
Beyond music, Hansard became known for his charity work and advocacy. A Christmas Eve busking event he began in 2010 at the height of Ireland's financial crisis has raised over €2 million for the Dublin Simon Community, which described him as "a giant in the fight against homelessness." The annual gathering in central Dublin attracted musicians including Bono and the late Shane MacGowan.
