Oscar-Winning Singer Glen Hansard Dies at 56 Following Motorcycle Crash

*Glen Hansard performs with The Frames at the Sydney Opera House on March 25, 2013 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images)*

Irish singer-songwriter Glen Hansard, best known for co-writing the Academy Award-winning song "Falling Slowly" from the film Once, has died at the age of 56.

Hansard's management confirmed his passing in a statement, saying, "With broken hearts we announce the passing of Glen Hansard in the early hours of this morning," while asking for privacy for his family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time.

According to The Irish Times, Hansard was killed in a motorcycle crash in Dublin.

Hansard began his musical journey after leaving school as a teenager to busk on the streets of Dublin. He founded the Irish rock band The Frames, whose debut album Another Love Song was released in 1991. That same year, he appeared in director Alan Parker's film The Commitments, portraying guitarist Outspan Foster.

The Frames released seven studio albums during their career, including Burn the Maps, which reached No. 1 in Ireland in 2004, and The Cost, which peaked at No. 2 in Ireland in 2006.

In 2007, Hansard starred alongside Czech singer Markéta Irglová in director John Carney's film Once. Together they wrote much of the soundtrack, including "Falling Slowly," which earned the Academy Award for Best Original Song.

Hansard and Irglová later performed together as The Swell Season, releasing two studio albums, including Strict Joy, which reached No. 15 on the Billboard 200. Their most recent album, Forward, was released in July 2025.

The success of Once continued on Broadway, where the musical adaptation opened in 2012 and won eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Hansard also received a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album.

Hansard launched his solo career in 2012 with Rhythm and Repose, which reached No. 21 on the Billboard 200. His latest solo release, All That Was East Is West of Me Now, arrived in October 2023. Earlier this year, he also released the live album Don't Settle (Vol. 2 Transmissions West).

Beyond his music, Hansard organized Dublin's annual Christmas Eve Busk, a fundraising tradition supporting the city's homeless community. Since its launch in 2010, the event attracted appearances from numerous Irish musicians, including U2's Bono.

Hansard also became a member of Eddie Vedder's backing band, The Earthlings, following the release of Vedder's 2021 solo album Earthlings. He later joined Vedder on several solo tours and also opened for Pearl Jam.

In October 2022, Hansard became a father when he and his partner, poet Maire Saaritsa, welcomed a son.

Content for this summary was derived from original reporting by ABC Audio, as featured on 105.7 The Point.