Glen Hansard remembered for Oscar-winning ‘Once’ legacy

Glen Hansard, the Irish singer-songwriter and frontman of The Frames, has died aged 56 following a motorcycle crash in Lucan, Dublin, in the early hours of 29 July. The single-vehicle collision occurred just before 5am.

Fans have since taken to social media to celebrate his most celebrated work: the 2007 film Once, which he co-wrote and starred in alongside Markéta Irglová. The pair composed the film's soundtrack together, including the song "Falling Slowly"—which won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2008. Hansard also played the lead role of "Guy" in the romantic musical drama, written and directed by John Carney. A Broadway adaptation of the film later won eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical.

Following news of his death, tributes flooded social media, with fans sharing clips from the film and performances. "Can we please stop for 4 minutes and take a moment to appreciate how absolutely heart-wrenching and wonderful 'Falling Slowly' from the Once soundtrack is," one wrote, while another shared footage of Hansard busking with Irglová on the streets of Chicago in 2008, performing Van Morrison's "Into The Mystic" whilst promoting the film.

Others highlighted his broader career: his solo albums, most recently 2023's All That Was East Is West of Me Now, and his early acting role in the 1991 BAFTA-winning film The Commitments. Warren Ellis of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds paid tribute, writing: "I Can't believe it Glen. You were a good man and loyal friend… Always above and beyond. And always about the music, the blah blah, the dogs and the meaning of it all."