Oscar-winning Irish singer-songwriter Glen Hansard, who achieved international fame starring in the 2007 drama Once, has died in a motorcycle crash at the age of 56.
The musician, aged 56, was killed after a single-vehicle crash on the R109 near Rugged Lane in Lucan, close to Strawberry Beds, in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Gardaí and emergency services were called to the scene shortly before 4.30am.
The motorcyclist was treated by emergency services but was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later.
“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,”
his management said on Wednesday.
The family of singer Glen Hansard said they are “deeply shocked and heartbroken” by his death, his management told Ireland’s national broadcaster RTÉ.
Hansard is survived by his Finnish partner, poet Maire Saaritsa, and their son, Christy, who was born in 2022.
Hansard, 56, was the frontman of Irish band The Frames, appeared in the Irish film The Commitments, and won an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2007 for Falling Slowly, which he co-wrote with Markéta Irglová for the film Once.
The achievement marked a turning point in his career.
He formed The Frames in 1990, leading the band to become one of Ireland’s most acclaimed rock acts.
He was one half of the rock duo The Swell Season and released several solo albums, including Didn’t He Ramble, which was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Folk Album in 2016.
Beyond music, Hansard was deeply committed to community work.
For years, he led the annual Christmas Eve charity busk outside Dublin’s Gaiety Theatre, where well-known Irish musicians performed in aid of the Dublin Simon Community.
He also took part in protests over Ireland’s housing crisis, a march marking three years since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the anti-austerity water charges demonstrations in 2014.
His most recent release was the two-volume album Don’t Settle, issued across April and June.
He had been due to begin a tour in August, with dates including Cork Opera House in November.
Former Late Late Show host Ryan Tubridy posted on Instagram.
“It’s with the heaviest of hearts I post a few words about Glen Hansard who has died. I’ve been a fan, an admirer and thanks to multiple chats on TV and radio, an interviewer of this extraordinarily talented singer and storyteller.”
“Apart from his talent as an artist, he also cared. He cared about the homeless and he cared about Ireland. The Oscar, the achievements and the humanity were all part of a life well lived,”
Tubridy said.
The Waterboys’ Mike Scott shared a tribute online.
“Just heard that Glen Hansard has died. Travel on well, Buddy. You made your dreams come true. I’m so sorry that he leaves his wife and 3-year-old child.”
Irish rock band Aslan, who lost their own frontman Christy Dignam in 2023, issued a statement.
“We are absolutely devastated to hear of the tragic passing of the incredibly talented Glen Hansard. We’re here in the rehearsal studio, and the news has completely floored us. Glen was a remarkable artist whose music touched so many lives, and his loss will be felt far and wide. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with his family, friends, and all who loved him during this heartbreaking time. Rest in peace, Glen.”
Former Irish President Michael D Higgins released a statement.
“A wonderful musician and performer, a troubadour whose gift for storytelling brought so much joy to audiences across the world.”
Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin also spoke out.
“I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Glen Hansard. A talented musician and actor who made a significant contribution to Ireland’s cultural landscape over many years. My sincere sympathies to his family, friends, and fans.”
Hansard was born in Ballymun, Dublin, in 1970 and began his career busking on the streets of the Irish capital as a teenager. He formed The Frames in 1990 and first came to wider attention when he starred in Alan Parker’s The Commitments as guitarist Outspan Foster.
But his biggest role came in the indie film Once.
2007’s Once proved to be one of Hansard’s most beloved and enduring works. John Carney’s film followed Hansard and Irglová as two struggling musicians in Dublin who slowly fall in love. The film grossed $23 million worldwide.
Hansard had been active in music up until his death and released the second volume of his album Don’t Settle – Transmissions East & West last month.