Oscar-winning 'Once' songwriter Glen Hansard dies at 56 in motorbike accident

Published Jul 30, 01:31 PM UTC

Glen Hansard, frontman of The Frames and Oscar-winning songwriter for the film Once, has died at age 56 in a motorbike accident in Dublin, reported to emergency services at 4:30am on Wednesday. Hansard, who also played guitarist Outspan Foster in The Commitments, won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2008 for 'Falling Slowly'. He is survived by his wife, poet Maire Saaritsa, and their three-year-old child. Tributes have poured in from prominent figures including Bono, Bruce Springsteen, actress Rachel Zegler, Ireland's Taoiseach Micheál Martin, and President Catherine Connolly. Bandmate Colm Mac Con Iomaire and musician Damien Dempsey also shared emotional tributes, highlighting Hansard's profound impact on Irish music and culture.