LONDON — Irish singer-songwriter Glen Hansard, who won an Academy Award for the song “Falling Slowly” from the 2007 film “Once,” died Wednesday in a motorcycle crash near Dublin. He was 56.
Hansard’s management, ATC Management, confirmed his death to Ireland’s RTE, saying his family was “deeply shocked and heartbroken.”
Irish police said a man in his 50s died in a single-vehicle motorcycle crash in Lucan, west of Dublin, shortly before 4:30 a.m. Wednesday. Emergency responders treated the man at the scene, but he died shortly afterward. Police did not identify him.
Hansard’s death prompted tributes from fellow musicians and Irish public figures. Bruce Springsteen said he was “heartbroken” over the loss of “a great musician, a good friend and a generous and gracious man.”
Irish President Catherine Connolly described Hansard as one of Ireland’s great singer-songwriters.
“Glen was one of the vital driving influences of the Irish music world, bringing people together in the sharing of live music,” Connolly said. “He will be sorely missed by all who knew him or experienced his work.”
Hansard gained international recognition through both acting and music. He played a member of a Dublin soul band in the 1991 film “The Commitments” before building a career as a musician.
In 2008, Hansard and Markéta Irglová won the Oscar for best original song for “Falling Slowly,” which they co-wrote for “Once.” The film follows two struggling musicians who form a relationship while making music together.
“Once” later became a Broadway musical featuring songs from Hansard and Irglová. The production won eight Tony Awards in 2012, including best musical.
Hansard also served as the longtime frontman of the Irish rock band The Frames and formed the musical duo The Swell Season with Irglová.
He released several solo albums, including “Didn’t He Ramble,” which earned a Grammy nomination for best folk album in 2016.
Hansard began his career as a street busker in Dublin. He later became known for leading the annual Christmas Eve busk outside Dublin’s Gaiety Theatre, where musicians perform for audiences while raising money for homelessness charities.
Actor and comedian Chris O’Dowd said Hansard’s music had helped people through difficult times.
“His energizing melodies and soulful, searching voice made the tough times more manageable, the stagnant times more beautiful, and the joyful times even more memorable,” O’Dowd said.
Former Irish President Michael D. Higgins called Hansard a “wonderful musician and performer” and praised his commitment to addressing social issues.
Hansard also performed at the 2023 funeral of The Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan, singing “Fairytale of New York” with Irish singer Lisa O’Neill as mourners danced in the aisles.
Hansard is survived by his wife, Finnish poet Maire Saaritsa, and their 3-year-old son, Christy.
