The music world is mourning the loss of acclaimed Irish singer-songwriter Glen Hansard, who died in a motorcycle crash in Dublin early Wednesday. He was 56.
Hansard, best known as the lead singer of Irish rock band The Frames and for his Academy Award-winning song “Falling Slowly” from the 2007 film Once, leaves behind a legacy that spans decades of music, film, and songwriting.
According to his management company, ATC Management, Hansard died following a road traffic accident in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
“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,” the company said in a statement, while thanking emergency services for their efforts.
Irish police confirmed that a man in his 50s died after a single-vehicle motorcycle collision in west Dublin. Emergency responders were called to the scene shortly before 4:30 a.m. local time, but despite treatment at the scene, the rider was pronounced dead. Authorities have not released additional details as the investigation continues.
Hansard rose to prominence after forming The Frames in 1990, following years of performing as a teenage busker on the streets of his native Dublin. His heartfelt songwriting and distinctive voice helped establish the band as one of Ireland’s most respected rock acts.
His international breakthrough came with the independent film Once, in which he starred alongside Czech musician Markéta Irglová. The pair portrayed two musicians who fall in love while creating music together, and their duet, “Falling Slowly,” won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2008.
The success of Once introduced Hansard’s music to a global audience and later inspired a Broadway adaptation that won eight Tony Awards in 2012.
In addition to his work with The Frames, Hansard enjoyed a successful solo career and continued collaborating with Irglová as part of the folk duo The Swell Season, releasing several acclaimed albums.
Following news of his death, tributes poured in from across Ireland and around the world. Irish Prime Minister Michael Martin said he was deeply saddened by the loss of “a talented musician and actor who made a significant contribution to Ireland’s cultural landscape over many years.”
Hansard was also remembered for his role in director Alan Parker’s 1991 film The Commitments, which marked his acting debut before the success of Once.
His passing has left fans, fellow musicians, and the Irish arts community grieving the loss of an artist whose music resonated across generations.
Glen Hansard is remembered not only for his remarkable talent but also for his authenticity, humility, and passion for storytelling through song. His influence on Irish music and independent cinema will continue to inspire artists and audiences for years to come.
He is survived by countless friends, collaborators, and admirers whose lives were enriched by his music. Funeral arrangements have not yet been publicly announced.
Heartfelt condolences are extended to Glen Hansard’s family, friends, bandmates, and fans around the world. May he rest in peace.