R.I.P. Glen Hansard (The Frames, The Swell Season)

We’ve very sadly lost prolific and influential Irish singer-songwriter Glen Hansard, who died in a motorcycle crash in a single-vehicle accident, just west of Dublin, at the age of 56, as confirmed by his representation, ATC Management.

The statement reads in part, “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.”

Hansard fronted rock band The Frames as well as was part of the duo, The Swell Season, who along with Markéta Irglová, won the Academy Award for Best Original Song (“Falling Slowly”) at the 80th annual ceremony in Feb 2008. We had met the pair in Minneapolis, a couple months after the Oscar win, following a show in town, and found them both extremely charming, friendly, and still gobsmacked from their win.

Hansard had a constant output of music, releasing the second volume of his album, Don+t Settle – Transmissions East & West just last month.

Glen James Hansard was born in Ballymun, Dublin on April 21, 1970, as one of six children and found his musical calling early, quitting school at age thirteen to begin his career busking on the streets near the city centre. He formed The Frames in 1990 and came to greater attention when he appeared as guitarist Outspan Foster in Alan Parker’s The Commitments.

His international breakthrough came with (fellow Frames band member) John Carney’s 2007 film, Once, featuring he and Irglová playing two separate struggling musicians in Dublin who begin falling slowly, in love. We also caught the eight-time Tony Award-winning stage version of Once, first back in 2014 in its national tour in Minneapolis, and again in 2024, in Kansas City as staged by KC Rep.

That partnership extended to their real lives for a while, with each going their separate personal ways, yet keeping their band in motion, recently touring the US last year. His lyrics and storytelling were always distinct and memorable with everything delivered in a raw authenticity that made every lyric seem lived in, weathered, and most of all, sincere, reaching Dylan and Van Morrison-level brilliance often.

Hansard’s son, Christy was born in October 2022, with his partner and wife, Finnish poet Maire Saaritsa and they divided their time living in both Ireland and Helsinki.

Among those already paying tribute was The Waterboys’ Mike Scott who said: “Travel on well, Buddy. You made your dreams come true. I’m so sorry that he leaves his wife and 3-year-old child.” Bruce Springsteen expressed in part: “we are heartbroken over the death of Glen Hansard. We met in Ireland many years ago and he was always nothing but a great musician, a good friend and a generous and gracious man.”