LONDON (AP) 鈥� Irish singer-songwriter Glen Hansard, who won an Academy Award for the 2007 film 鈥淥nce,鈥� died in a motorcycle crash on the outskirts of Dublin early Wednesday, his management said. He was 56.
ATC Management told broadcaster RTE Hansard’s family was 鈥渄eeply shocked and heartbroken.鈥�
91欧美激情 of his death brought tributes from fellow musicians including Bruce Springsteen, who said on Instagram he was 鈥渉eartbroken鈥� at the loss of 鈥渁 great musician, a good friend and a generous and gracious man.鈥�
Irish police said a man in his 50s died in single-vehicle motorcycle crash in Lucan, on the western outskirts of the Irish capital, before 4:30 a.m. Wednesday. The man, who they did not name, was treated at the scene but pronounced dead a short time later.
Hansard combined acting and a musical career. He played a member of a Dublin soul band in the hit 1991 movie 鈥淭he Commitments鈥� and won an Oscar in 2008 for the song 鈥淔alling Slowly,鈥� which he co-wrote for the indie musical 鈥淥nce” with co-star Mark茅ta Irglov谩.
鈥淥nce,鈥� a love story about two struggling musicians, was later adapted for Broadway, again with songs by Hansard and Irglov谩. It won eight Tony Awards in 2012, including best musical.
Hansard was long-serving front man for rock band The Frames, half of rock duo The Swell Season with Irglov谩 and released solo albums including 鈥淒idn鈥檛 He Ramble,鈥� which was nominated for a Grammy for Best Folk Album in 2016.
Ireland’s President Catherine Connolly said he was one of Ireland鈥檚 great singer-songwriters.
鈥淕len was one of the vital driving influences of the Irish music world, bringing people together in the sharing of live music,” Connolly said. “He will be sorely missed by all who knew him or experienced his work.鈥�
Actor-comedian Chris O鈥橠owd said Hansard鈥檚 鈥渆nergizing melodies and soulful, searching voice made the tough times more manageable, the stagnant times more beautiful, and the joyful times even more memorable.鈥�
Hansard started out as a busker on the streets of Dublin. He became famous for leading the Christmas Eve busk outside Dublin’s Gaiety Theatre, where members of the public gathered to see famous Irish musicians perform in aid of a homelessness charity.
Former Irish president Michael D. Higgins said Hansard was a 鈥渨onderful musician and performer鈥� who also “placed great emphasis throughout his life to the importance of tackling the problems of society.”
At the funeral of The Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan in 2023, Hansard performed a rousing version of The Pogues’ song 鈥淔airytale Of New York鈥� with Irish singer Lisa O鈥橬eill that had the congregation dancing in the aisles of the church.
Hansard is survived by his wife, Finnish poet Maire Saaritsa, and their 3-year-old son, Christy.
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A previous version of this story incorrectly stated Hansard was awarded an Oscar in 2007. He received the award in 2008.
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