Oscar-winning Irish musician Glen Hansard dies in motorcycle crash

Oscar-winning Irish musician and activist Glen Hansard died in a motorcycle crash in Dublin in the early hours of Wednesday.

Hansard, 56, won a Best Original Song Oscar in 2008 for the indie film Once and was lead singer for rock group the Frames. 

Irish police said a man in his 50s had died after a single-vehicle motorcycle collision in the west of Dublin, with emergency services alerted shortly before 4.30am.

The musician won the Academy Award for his song Falling Slowly in 2008, having previously featured in 1991 film The Commitments as guitarist Outspan Foster.

Dublin-born Hansard was previously in a relationship with Markéta Irglová, who co-starred with him in Once and co-wrote the Oscar-winning track. 

The film, which featured a number of other songs composed and performed by Hansard and Irglová, was turned into a hit Broadway musical version that won eight Tony Awards in 2012.

Accepting his Oscar from presenter John Travolta, a stunned Hansard said: “What are we doing here? This is mad.”

He was later involved with poet Maire Saaritsa, who gave birth to their son Christy in October 2022. 

Glen Hansard is seen performing his song Falling Slowly during the 80th annual Academy Awards in Hollywood on February 24, 2008

Hansard is seen here playing at the Ohana Festival 2024 in California in September that year

Irish police are seen where Oscar-winning Irish musician and activist Glen Hansard has died in a motorcycle crash in Lucan, Dublin

Glen Hansard starred in director Alan Parker’s film The Commitments

Glen Hansard featured in the 1991 movie as guitarist Outspan Foster

Hansard was one half of the rock duo The Swell Season and released solo albums including Didn’t He Ramble, which was nominated for a Grammy for Best Folk Album in 2016. 

For years he led the Christmas Eve charity busk outside The Gaeity Theatre in Dublin city, where members of the public gathered to see famous Irish musicians perform in aid of the Dublin Simon Community.

He also took part in protests against Ireland’s housing crisis, a march to mark three years since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and he joined anti-austerity water charge protests in 2014.

At the funeral of The Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan in 2023, Hansard performed Fairytale Of New York with Irish singer Lisa O’Neill, which prompted dancing in the aisles of the Co Tipperary church.

Hansard also recorded a song called Take Heart, in October 2022, expressing support for Ukraine following the country’s invasion by Russia – with Hansard backed on the track by Irglová, U2 frontman Bono and Ukrainian refugees. 

Hansard toured in the past with Pearl Jam singer Eddie Vedder, sang the track Coyote at Joni Mitchell’s 75th birthday celebration in Los Angeles in 2018 and also sang live alongside artists including Bruce Springsteen and Ed Sheeran. 

In a statement, his agents ATC management today said: ‘With broken hearts we announce the pᴀssing of Glen Hansard who pᴀssed away, in the early hours of this morning, following a road traffic accident in Dublin.

‘Glen’s family is deeply shocked and heartbroken by this tragic loss and respectfully requests privacy at this extremely difficult time.

Glen Hansard is seen taking part in the annual Christmas Eve busk on Grafton Street, Dublin, in December 2019

Hansard and Markéta Irglová (right) co-wrote Falling Slowly which won an Oscar in 2008

‘The family is grateful for the support they have received and wishes to thank the emergency services who attended the scene.

‘As this matter remains the subject of an active Garda investigation, no further comment will be made at this time.’ 

Ireland’s Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he was ‘deeply saddened’ by the death of ‘talented’ Hansard.

The PM posted on social media: ‘Deeply saddened to learn of the pᴀssing 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.’