Oscar‑winning Irish songwriter Glen Hansard died in a crash

Glen Hansard, the 56‑year‑old frontman of the Irish rock band The Frames and an Academy Award‑winning songwriter, was killed in a single‑vehicle motorbike crash on Lower Road in Lucan, west of Dublin, early on Wednesday. The accident occurred shortly before 04:30 local time and emergency services confirmed the boy’s death at the scene.

Hansard first came to international attention when he was cast in the 1991 musical comedy film The Commitments, before gaining worldwide fame with his Oscar‑winning duet with Czech singer Markéta Irglová for the song "Falling Slowly" in the film Once (2007). The track remains one of the most celebrated film songs of the decade, and the pair earned the Academy Award for Best Original Song.

The accident has triggered a wave of tributes from musicians and public figures. Bruce Springsteen posted, "Here on E Street, we are heartbroken over the death of Glen Hansard," while Ed Sheeran called the Irish singer "an incredible human, an incredible force." U2 vocalist Bono also praised Hansard as the "most musical and mischievous archangel of Ballymun". Irish leaders, including Taoiseach Micheál Martin and President Catherine Connolly, have offered condolences and highlighted his influence on Ireland’s music culture.

Hansard’s wife, Maire, and their three‑year‑old son, Christy, were deeply shocked by the news. Their manager, ATC Management, expressed gratitude for the support from friends, family and emergency services. The musician was also known for his social activism: he started an annual Christmas Eve busk in Dublin’s city centre to raise funds for the homeless, a practice that drew well‑known artists such as Bono, Sinéad O’Connor and Shane McGowan.

Beyond the street performances, Hansard’s artistic journey began with The Frames, formed in 1990, and expanded into collaborations with international musicians like Eddie Vedder and the unofficial folk duo The Swell Season. His solo work, including the 2016 album Did It Ramble (a play on his lyric “Did you ever...”), earned a Grammy nomination. His son’s arrival a few years ago reshaped his priorities, as he told BBC Radio Ulster that fatherhood "upturned everything I know".

The funeral and memorial rites will be held at Dublin’s Mansion House, and a book of condolence is open for dignitaries and fans. The Irish music community—alongside international peers—continues to celebrate Hansard’s legacy, from his raw songwriting to his heartfelt activism on the streets of Dublin.