Singer-songwriter Glen Hansard dies in Dublin crash
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Updated / Wednesday, 29 Jul 2026<br>12:30
Glen Hansard won the Oscar for Best Original Song for Falling Slowly in 2008
Oscar-winning songwriter and The Frames frontman Glen Hansard has died aged 56 in a road crash in Dublin, his publicist has confirmed.
The motorcycle crash happened near Strawberry Beds in Chapelizod in Dublin city.
"With broken hearts we announce the passing of Glen Hansard who passed away, in the early hours of this morning, following a road traffic accident in Dublin," a statement from ATC Management said.
"Glen's family is deeply shocked and heartbroken by this tragic loss and respectfully requests privacy at this extremely difficult time.
"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."
Tributes paid to Glen Hansard - follow updates
Glen Hansard will be remembered as one of Dublin and Ireland's most beloved native sons, who went from busking on the streets of his hometown to success with his band The Frames, to Academy Award glory with the song Falling Slowly, from Once, and on to a successful career as a solo artist.
He was one of Ireland's most acclaimed and influential musicians, who built an international career spanning more than three decades across music, film and theatre.
Born in Ballymun, Dublin, on 21 April 1970, Hansard began performing music at a young age, busking on the streets of Dublin before co-founding The Frames in 1990.
As the band's lead singer, guitarist, and principal songwriter, he helped establish The Frames as one of Ireland's most respected live acts, earning a devoted following through albums including Another Love Song, Fitzcarraldo, Dance the Devil, For the Birds, Burn the Maps and The Cost.
Hansard appeared in Alan Parker's 1991 film The Commitments, playing guitarist Outspan Foster. While acting was never his primary focus, the role introduced him to a much wider audience and remains one of his best-known screen performances.
Glen Hansard (2nd from left, front row) pictured with his cast-mates in The Commitments (1991)
Glen Hansard and Bono on The Late Late Show in 2020
Glen Hansard and Imelda May during the annual Christmas Eve busk in 2019 on Grafton Street
In 2002, Hansard became the original presenter of RTÉ's acclaimed music series Other Voices, helping to launch what has become one of Ireland's most beloved showcases for live music.
His international breakthrough came with the 2007 film Once, directed by John Carney, in which he starred opposite Czech musician Markéta Irglová.
The pair played two musicians who meet in Dublin and form a creative partnership, performing songs they had written together as The Swell Season. The film became a surprising global success after winning the World Cinema Audience Award (Dramatic) at the Sundance Film Festival.
At the 80th Academy Awards in 2008, Hansard and Irglová won the Oscar for Best Original Song for Falling Slowly, one of the most celebrated songs in contemporary Irish music.
The success of Once led to worldwide tours as The Swell Season and, in 2012, a Broadway adaptation of the film, featuring Hansard and Irglová's songs, which won eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová perform 'Falling Slowly' on The Late Late Show
Alongside his work with The Frames and The Swell Season, Hansard enjoyed a successful solo career.
His albums include Rhythm and Repose (2012), Didn't He Ramble (2016), Between Two Shores (2018), This Wild Willing (2019) and All That Was East is West of Me Now (2023). His work earned multiple Grammy Award nominations, reflecting his continued influence as a songwriter and performer.
Renowned for the passion and intensity of his live performances, Hansard collaborated with artists including Eddie Vedder, Bono, Sinéad O'Connor, Eddi Reader and Lisa Hannigan.
He was closely connected with Ireland's community music projects, such as...