Oscar-Winning Irish Musician and Actor Glen Hansard Dies at 56

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Oscar-Winning Irish Musician and Actor Glen Hansard Dies at 56

30.07.2026 30 July 2026
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Once Star Glen Hansard Killed in Dublin Motorcycle Crash

Glen Hansard, the Irish performer whose music for Once took him from Dublin’s streets to the Academy Awards, has died at 56.

The singer and actor was killed in a motorcycle accident in west Dublin before sunrise on Wednesday, 29 July. Gardaí attended shortly before 4.30am. Medical teams treated him at the location, but he could not be saved. Officers are seeking information from potential witnesses.

ATC Management announced his death, stating: “With broken hearts we announce the passing of Glen Hansard in the early hours of this morning.”

Hansard was born in Dublin in 1970 and abandoned formal education at 13 to concentrate on performing. He became lead singer of The Frames and played Outspan Foster in Alan Parker’s The Commitments in 1991.

His defining screen role came in John Carney’s low-budget musical drama Once. Cillian Murphy had previously been connected to the project, but Hansard eventually starred with Markéta Irglová. Their composition Falling Slowly secured the 2008 Academy Award for Best Original Song.

Hansard and Irglová later released music as The Swell Season, including the July 2025 album Forward. A Broadway version of Once, led by Steve Kazee and Cristin Milioti, collected eight Tony Awards in 2012.

His solo catalogue included the Grammy-nominated Didn’t He Ramble and 2023 album All That Was East Is West of Me Now. He toured with Bob Dylan and worked with Bruce Springsteen and Eddie Vedder.

Hansard also supported Dublin’s annual Christmas Eve charity performances. At Shane MacGowan’s funeral, he sang alongside Lisa O’Neill and members of The Pogues.

President Catherine Connolly recognised his contribution to Irish culture and charitable work.

Hansard leaves behind his wife, Finnish poet Maire Saaritsa, and their three-year-old son, Christy.

MURPHY Cillian

Irish actor
#947
HANSARD Glen

Irish singer-songwriter and actor
#461
IRGLOVA Marketa

Czech-Icelandic singer-songwriter
#466
CARNEY John

Irish film director
#467
PARKER Alan

English film director
#476
KAZEE Steven

American actor and singer
#480
MILIOTI Cristin

American actress and musician
#484

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