Star of Oscar winning film Once, Glen Hansard, dies aged 56
Glen Hansard, the Oscar-winning star of the film Once, has died aged 56 after a crash in Dublin.
The Irish Independent report that Hansard died in a motorcycle crash, with police being alerted to a collision at 4.30am this morning, Wednesday 29 July. He is survived by his wife, poet Maire Saaritsa, and his son.
Hansard starred in two major films in his career, 1991's The Commitments and the 2007 film Once, earning an Oscar for best original song for Falling Slowly.
Hansard is an Irish music legend as the frontman for the band The Frames, releasing six studio albums as a band prior to his death.
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His death was confirmed in a statement released by his manager to the Irish Independent, saying: "With broken hearts, we announce the passing of Glen Hansard who passed away, in the early hours of this morning, following a road traffic accident in Dublin.
“Glen’s family is deeply shocked and heartbroken by this tragic loss and respectfully requests privacy at this extremely difficult time. The family is grateful for the support they have received and wishes to thank the emergency services who attended the scene.
“As this matter remains the subject of an active Garda investigation, no further comment will be made at this time.”
In a statement to LADbible, Sir Bob Geldof said: “Glen was wonderful. The Universe lacks mercy or justice that such a sweet, thoughtful, burstingly talented man should be so wantonly and violently killed on an early Irish morning backroad.
"Tragedy does not do justice to this terrible calamity for his family, the world of music and Ireland itself. For we have lost one of the great ones. A person and a songwriter and singer and musician and performer of great depth, understanding, compassion, daring and bravado .
"Well Glen, you left us the tunes and when we play and sing and whistle them as we will, then there you’ll be, alive, vital, important and brilliant as you ever were. Safe travels Glen. Miss you. Bob G”
Hansard, whose son was born in 2022, has received an outpouring of love from fans on social media, with one tweeting: "Incredibly shocked and saddened to hear this. What an amazing life he had. Ive many many fond memories him and his music. Rip Glen."
Another tweeted: "Such sad news. He was such a talent. RIP Glen."
A sign of Hansard's enduring popularity was the high regard he was held in by other members of the Irish music community, performing Fairytale of New York at Shane McGowan's funeral.
He starred in Once, appearing after Cillian Murphy dropped out of the lead role in the film.
He was initially simply writing songs for the film and considered turning the role down, saying director John Carney told him: "I can't believe I didn't see this but you've got to be the guy."
In an interview with the Off Camera show he said he was 'really against it', adding: "It was too close to my own story." He insisted he be auditioned to see if he was 'a good actor' and, ultimately, took the iconic part.
Speaking about the role, where he played a busker having worked as one himself when he was younger, he told Entertainment Weekly: "Well, playing a guy who writes songs and busks on Grafton Street in Dublin and falls in love with Marketa Irglova wasn't very difficult for me.
"There was very little acting going on. I won’t say I’ve closed the door on acting. Since Once has come out there have been a few offers that sound interesting, but I don’t have time to do them right now."
Once was his last starring role, appearing in a small voice role in The Simpsons and acting in a cameo role in Cyrano.
Topics: TV and Film, Film, Music, Celebrity
Michael Slavin