Glen Hansard’s acclaimed ‘Once’ performance remembered by fans

Glen Hansard’s admirers are celebrating his acclaimed contribution to the 2007 film Once, which earned him an Academy Award.

The singer and actor’s death was confirmed earlier today, July 29, after he was involved in a motorcycle accident in Lucan during the early morning. Reports described the incident as a single vehicle crash that happened shortly before 5am. He was 56.

The north Dublin musician was best known as the frontman of The Frames and also released several solo records, including his latest album, ‘All That Was East Is West of Me Now’, in 2023. Hansard was also one half of The Swell Season with Markéta Irglová. Together, they created the soundtrack for Once, including ‘Falling Slowly’, which received an Oscar in 2008.

Hansard also starred in the Irish romantic musical drama, which was written and directed by John Carney. He portrayed the central character known as “Guy”.

The film was eventually turned into a Broadway production that collected eight Tony Awards, including the prize for best musical.

Since news of his death emerged, supporters have posted clips from the movie and performances of the song. One person wrote: “RIP Glen Hansard. 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, the one that won an Oscar?”

Someone else uploaded footage from one of Hansard’s recent shows and wrote: “Rest in Peace Glen Hansard. #Once,” while another added: “There’s a film you all need to watch. Doesn’t matter if you’ve seen it before or not, it is perfect and today’s the day for it. Once is a classic and it changed my life. RIP Glen Hansard.”

One supporter also posted a video of Hansard and Irglová busking Van Morrison’s ‘Into The Mystic’ on a Chicago street while promoting Once.

The fan explained: “Glen and Marketa Irglova performed “Into The Mystic” for us on the streets of Chicago while promoting the movie “Once” in 2008. I thought it would be fitting to share this today to remember his incredible talent and the passion he brought to every performance, big or small.”

Others also showed him performing ‘Falling Slowly’ with Eddie Vedder live.

More footage circulated showing Hansard joining Eddie Vedder onstage for a live performance of ‘Falling Slowly’.

Fans also revisited his Academy Award acceptance speech from 2008. After collecting the Oscar, Hansard said: “When we were kids my mother used to drag us into the living room to watch the Oscars every year. And she’d sit there and talk about what people were wearing and what they said or it was all a fix?

“She’d go on about all these things and it’s amazing for her to be here tonight with us. We’re just absolutely you know..”

Hansard then shared that U2 singer Bono had sent him a message, describing it as “the biggest thing that could happen to an Irish man”.

He continued: “Tonight he sent a text saying a busker that plays the Oscars, that’s the poetry and it was one of those moments where I was like, ‘Oh my God that is such a you know’, getting the praise from the high chieftain of our country.”

His other screen appearances included playing Outspan Foster in the 1991 BAFTA winning movie The Commitments, alongside Robert Arkins, Angeline Ball, Andrew Strong, and others.

Actor Rachel Zegler was among those who remembered Hansard, along with Warren Ellis of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Grinderman, and Dirty Three. Ellis wrote: “I Can’t believe it Glen. You were a good man and loyal friend. Traveling overnight to see Dirty Three in Boston recently. Always above and beyond. And always about the music the blah blah the dogs and the meaning of it all. Sending my love to your family. Heartbreaking.”