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Oscar-winning 'Once' songwriter Glen Hansard dies at 56 in motorbike accident
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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.
Source report
Glen Hansard, the frontman of Irish rock band The Frames and Oscar-winning songwriter, has died at age 56 following a motorbike accident.
The incident was reported to Dublin's emergency services at 4:30 a.m. on Wednesday.
Hansard, who also played guitarist Outspan Foster in the film The Commitments, won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2008 for "Falling Slowly" from the film Once.
He is survived by his wife, poet Maire Saaritsa, and their three-year-old child.
Tributes Pour In
Since Wednesday, tributes have been paid by Bono, Ireland's Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Rachel Zegler, Bruce Springsteen, and many others.
Ireland's President Catherine Connolly said:
"Glen Hansard will be remembered as one of Ireland's great singer-songwriters... Glen and his band the Frames stood out as one of the leaders of the thriving wave of Irish bands who emerged in the 1990s and were the source of so much inspiration to a generation of young people and musicians."
Colm Mac Con Iomaire, Hansard's bandmate in The Frames, shared a picture of the group on Instagram with the caption: "Fadó fadó ar maidin..." ("long, long ago this morning").
Micheál Martin shared on X:
"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. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam [God rest his soul]."
Musician Damien Dempsey wrote on Instagram:
"Your power was unfathomable, otherworldly... a monumental power and a monumental loss."
Source
HuffPost UK - Athena2 - All Entries (Public)Western
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Irish Musician and Oscar Winner Glen Hansard Dies in Motorcycle Crash