DUBLIN
Irish singer-songwriter Glen Hansard, who gained an Academy Award for the 2007 movie “Once,” died in a motorcycle crash on the outskirts of Dublin early Wednesday, his administration mentioned. He was 56.
ATC Management instructed broadcaster RTE Hansard’s household was “deeply shocked and heartbroken” by his demise.
Irish police mentioned a person in his 50s died in single car motorcycle crash in Lucan on the western outskirts of the Irish capital earlier than 4:30 a.m. on Wednesday. The man, who they didn’t identify, was handled on the scene however was pronounced lifeless a short while later.
Hansard mixed appearing and a musical profession. He performed a member of a Dublin soul band in the hit 1991 film “The Commitments” and gained an Oscar in 2008 for the music “Falling Slowly” from the indie musical “Once,” in which he starred alongside Markéta Irglová.
He was long-serving entrance man for rock band The Frames, half of rock duo The Swell Season and launched solo albums together with “Didn’t He Ramble,” which was nominated for a Grammy for Best Folk Album in 2016.
Hansard began out as a busker on the streets of Dublin, and he grew to become well-known for main the Christmas Eve charity busk exterior Dublin’s Gaiety Theatre, the place members of the general public gathered to see well-known Irish musicians carry out.
Former Irish president Michael D. Higgins mentioned Hansard was a “wonderful musician and performer” who had a present for storytelling who “also placed great emphasis throughout his life to the importance of tackling the problems of society, including regular work in drawing attention to the problem of homelessness.”
At the funeral of The Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan in 2023, Hansard carried out a rousing model of The Pogues’ music “Fairytale Of New York” with Irish singer Lisa O’Neill that had the congregation dancing in the aisles of the church.
Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin mentioned he was “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,” Martin posted on X.
Hansard is survived by his spouse, Maire Saaritsa, and their 3-year-old son, Christy.