Oscar-winning singer-songwriter Glen Hansard dies at 56
Singer-songwriter Glen Hansard, an Oscar winner for best original song, died Wednesday morning, his management confirmed to ABC News.
"We are still dealing with the shock of it all, so we kindly ask that the privacy of Glen's family, colleagues and friends is respected at this difficult time," ATC Management said in a statement Wednesday.
Hansard, 56, died in a motorcycle crash in his native Dublin, Ireland, according to The Associated Press.
The Gardaí -- the Irish police force -- issued a news release Wednesday confirming that a motorcyclist, described as a "man in his 50s," died following a single-vehicle crash around 4:30 a.m. local time in Dublin.
Gardaí have not yet named Hansard as the victim. They are asking for any witnesses to come forward.
Hansard won an Oscar in 2008 for the song "Falling Slowly" from the film "Once." He starred in the film -- which tells the story of two struggling musicians who fall in love in Dublin -- alongside Markéta Irglová.
"We made this film two years ago. We shot on two handycams. It took us three weeks to make ... we never thought we'd come into a room like this and be in front of you people. It's been an amazing thing," Hansard said in his Oscars acceptance speech, which he ended by saying, "Make art. Make art."
"Once" went onto become a Broadway show, winning eight Tony Awards in 2012, including best musical.
Following "Once," Hansard and Irglová, who briefly dated, formed the band The Swell Season, releasing their self-titled debut album in 2006. Their follow-up, "Strict Joy," peaked at No. 15 on the Billboard 200 Albums chart. They released their last album, "Forward," in July 2025.
Hansard quit school in his teens to busk on the streets of Dublin and founded Irish rock band The Frames, who released their debut album, "Another Love Song," in 1991. That same year, Hansard had a role in the Alan Parker-directed film, "The Commitments," playing guitarist Outspan Foster.
The Frames would go on to release seven studio albums, including 2004's "Burn the Maps," which would hit No. 1 in Ireland, and 2006's "The Cost," which hit No. 2.
Hansard launched a solo career in 2012, releasing his most recent solo album, "All That Was East Is West of Me Now," in October 2023. A natural storyteller, Hansard was known for his magnetic live performances, and released the live album "Don't Settle (Vol. 2 Transmissions West)" in June.
Hansard was also the organizer behind what became known as the Christmas Eve Busk, impromptu performances on Grafton Street in Dublin to raise money for the homeless community. Started in 2010, over the years he would be joined by several of his fellow Irish musicians, including U2 frontman Bono.
In 2021, when Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder released his third solo album, Hansard became a member of Vedder's backing band, dubbed The Earthlings. Hansard would go on to open for Vedder several times on his solo and Pearl Jam tours.
In October 2022, Hansard became a first-time father, when he and his partner, poet Maire Saaritsa, welcomed a son.
Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin, the country's prime minister, paid tribute to Hansard Wednesday.
"Deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Glen Hansard. A talented musician and actor who made a significant contribution to Ireland's cultural landscape over many years," he wrote on social media. "My sincere sympathies to his family, friends, and fans," he wrote.
Bruce Springsteen also took to social media Wednesday to remember Hansard.
"Here on E Street, we are heartbroken over the death of Glen Hansard. We met in Ireland many years ago and he was always nothing but a great musician, a good friend and a generous and gracious man," he wrote. "Always positive, smiling and ready to sing. God bless him and his loved ones."
