Fans of Glen Hansard are remembering him for his Oscar winning work on the 2007 movie Once.
Earlier today (July 29), it was confirmed that the singer and actor died following a motorcycle crash, which occurred in Lucan during the early hours of this morning. The incident was reportedly a single-vehicle collision and happened just before 5am. He was aged 56.
The north Dublin artist and frontman of The Frames was known for his solo albums, the most recent of which was 2023’s ‘All That Was East Is West of Me Now’. He also made up one half of the duo The Swell Season, alongside Markéta Irglová, and together the two of them wrote the soundtrack for the film Once including the song ‘Falling Slowly’, which went on to win an Oscar in 2008.
He also took on a lead role in the Irish romantic musical drama film, written and directed by John Carney, playing a character called “Guy”.
A Broadway adaptation of the film later won eight Tonys, including best musical.
Following his passing fans have been sharing footage of the song and the film with one writing: “RIP Glen Hansard. Can we please stop for 4 minutes and take a moment to appreciate how absolutely heart-wrenching and wonderful “Falling Slowly” from the Once soundtrack is, the one that won an Oscar?”
Another shared live footage of a recent concert of Hansard and wrote: “Rest in Peace Glen Hansard. #Once,” while a third said: “There’s a film you all need to watch. Doesn’t matter if you’ve seen it before or not, it is perfect and today’s the day for it. Once is a classic and it changed my life. RIP Glen Hansard.”
RIP Glen Hansard ¿Podemos por favor parar 4 minutos y detenernos a apreciar lo absolutamente desgarradora y maravillosa que es Falling Slowly de la BSO de Once con la que ganó un Oscar?pic.twitter.com/KgYuJiD46V
— Juan Ceñal (@ordago13) July 29, 2026
Rest in Peace Glen Hansard. #Once pic.twitter.com/YPGDP5meTu
— Singsy (@Singsy24) July 29, 2026
There’s a film you all need to watch. Doesn’t matter if you’ve seen it before or not, it is perfect and today’s the day for it. Once is a classic and it changed my life. RIP Glen Hansard #Once #GlenHansard pic.twitter.com/YQYWtEsR4C
— Steve (@AnxiousFilmGeek) July 29, 2026
Another fan showed him busking with Irglová to Van Morrison‘s ‘Into The Mystic’ on the streets of Chicago while promoting Once at the time.
They wrote: “Glen and Marketa Irglova performed “Into The Mystic” for us on the streets of Chicago while promoting the movie “Once” in 2008. I thought it would be fitting to share this today to remember his incredible talent and the passion he brought to every performance, big or small.”
Glen Hansard has died after being involved in a motorcycle crash in Dublin.
Glen and Marketa Irglova performed “Into The Mystic” for us on the streets of Chicago while promoting the movie “Once” in 2008. I thought it would be fitting to share this today to remember his… pic.twitter.com/8kEteAJZdZ
— Marcus Leshock (@marcusleshock) July 29, 2026
Others also showed him performing ‘Falling Slowly’ with Eddie Vedder live.
RIP Glen Hansard 🕊️
Filmed here with Eddie Vedder playing his Oscar-winning track ‘Falling Slowly’.
The singer-songwriter has died aged 56 in a motorcycle crash in Dublin, Ireland. #GlenHansard #EddieVedder pic.twitter.com/MKqpx8z6U4
— Far Out Magazine (@FarOutMag) July 29, 2026
Others shared footage of his Oscar winning speech in 2008. Upon receiving his Academy Award at the time, Hansard said: “When we were kids my mother used to drag us into the living room to watch the Oscars every year. And she’d sit there and talk about what people were wearing and what they said or it was all a fix?
“She’d go on about all these things and it’s amazing for her to be here tonight with us. We’re just absolutely you know..”
He then revealed he got a text from U2 frontman Bono which was “the biggest thing that could happen to an Irish man”.
Hansard added: “Tonight he sent a text saying a busker that plays the Oscars, that’s the poetry and it was one of those moments where I was like, ‘Oh my God that is such a you know’, getting the praise from the high chieftain of our country.”
RIP Glenn Hansard, recipient of my favorite Oscar win ever for Once: pic.twitter.com/4qnjCIyRJr
— n x d (@nxd1979) July 29, 2026
Other acting roles included his portrayal of Outspan Foster in the 1991 BAFTA-winning film The Commitments, acting alongside Robert Arkins, Angeline Ball, Andrew Strong and more.
Among those to pay tribute were actor Rachel Zegler and Warren Ellis of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Grinderman, and Dirty Three who wrote. “I Can’t believe it Glen. You were a good man and loyal friend. Traveling overnight to see Dirty Three in Boston recently. Always above and beyond. And always about the music the blah blah the dogs and the meaning of it all. Sending my love to your family. Heartbreaking.”
