Glen Hansard, Oscar-winning Irish musician for Once, dies in motorcycle crash at 56
Oscar-winning Irish musician Glen Hansard, known for his work in the film 'Once' and the band The Frames, has died in a motorcycle crash at age 56. Tributes have poured in from figures including Bono and Bruce Springsteen, highlighting his musical legacy and advocacy for the homeless.
Why it matters
Hansard was a significant cultural figure in Ireland and internationally, known for bridging the gap between indie music and mainstream cinematic success.
Glen Hansard performs 'Falling Slowly' during the 80th annual Academy Awards in Hollywood in 2008. Gary Hershorn/Reuters
Irish musician Glen Hansard, who won a Best Original Song Oscar in 2008 for the indie film Once and was lead singer for rock group The Frames, died in a motorcycle crash at the age of 56 early on Wednesday, his management company said.
Bruce Springsteen, whom Hansard shared a stage with, said he and his band were heartbroken at the death of a “great musician, a good friend and a generous and gracious man.” Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin described him as an artist “who made a significant contribution to Ireland’s cultural landscape.”
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in