Oscar‑winning songwriter Glen Hansard dies in Dublin motorcycle crash

Irish musician Glen Hansard, who won an Academy Award for the song "Falling Slowly" from the 2008 film "Once", was killed in a single‑vehicle motorbike crash near Lucan, west of Dublin, on 29 July 2026.

Hansard, 56, was best known as the frontman of Dublin‑based rock group The Frames and as a co‑star in the award‑winning film "Once", where he performed alongside Czech singer Markéta Irglová. His song earned a Best Original Song Oscar at the 80th Academy Awards.

The accident was reported to emergency services before 04:30 local time. Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward to help reconstruct the crash. A single‑vehicle incident occurred on Lower Road in Lucan.

He had a son, Christy, who is three years old, and his family were devastated by the loss. Comments from fellow artists, including Andrew Strong, Chris O'Dowd, and Mike Scott, highlighted his talent and the impact of his death. Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin described Hansard as "a talented musician and actor who made a significant contribution to Ireland's cultural landscape" and expressed condolences.

Hansard’s work extended beyond music. He hosted the RTE music series "Other Voices", and organised a charity busk for the Dublin Simon Community to help the homeless. The charity stated that they were "devastated" and praised Hansard’s generosity and advocacy for social justice.

The crash marks a tragic end to the career of a songwriter who once said that his new life began after the birth of his son: "It’s completely, in the greatest way possible, upturned everything that I know." His passing has left a void in the Irish and global music communities.