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Crash Kills Hansard
Irish singer-songwriter Glen Hansard, who won an Oscar for best original song for “Falling Slowly” from the 2007 film Once, died in a motorcycle crash at age 56 in Lucan on the outskirts of Dublin early Wednesday morning.
“He died in a motorcycle crash in Lucan on the outskirts of Dublin, early on Wednesday morning.”
The Guardian reported that Hansard died in a motorcycle crash in Lucan on the outskirts of Dublin, and Irish police said he was treated at the scene for his injuries but died a short time later.
Billboard said Irish police asked witnesses for information following a “fatal single-vehicle collision” in Lucan, Dublin around 4:30 a.m. on Wednesday, describing the victim as a “man in his 50s,” who was treated at the scene and pronounced dead a short time later.
ATC Management told Billboard that “With broken hearts we announce the passing of Glen Hansard in the early hours of this morning,” while also saying it was still dealing with shock and asking for privacy for his family, colleagues and friends.
Tributes and Statements
Irish culture minister Patrick O’Donovan said Hansard “consistently poured passion and vulnerability into every note,” adding that his impact would “last generations in Irish music.”
In a statement to Billboard, Hansard’s management at ATC said, “With broken hearts we announce the passing of Glen Hansard in the early hours of this morning,” and asked that “the privacy of Glen’s family, colleagues and friends is respected.”
The BBC and other outlets cited by Billboard described Hansard as a leader of The Frames and the folk duo Swell Season, with the duo co-writing and performing the original songs for Once.
Billboard also noted that Hansard’s death was confirmed after the Irish Examiner identified the deceased as Hansard, following police describing the victim as a “man in his 50s.”
Legacy and What’s Next
Hansard’s career was closely tied to Once, which starred Hansard opposite Markéta Irglová and later became a stage musical in 2011, with the song “Falling Slowly” winning an Oscar for best original song.
“the film was then successfully adapted into a stage musical in 2011.”
The Guardian said Once was adapted into a stage musical in 2011, and it also described Hansard as the frontman of the Frames, whose final studio album The Cost reached No 2.
Billboard said the film was turned into a hit Broadway musical in 2012 that was nominated for 11 Tony Awards, winning eight, including best musical and best book of a musical, and it said Hansard joined the cast for a surprise curtain call song marking the show’s 1,000th performance.
As tributes continued, CNN and others reported that Hansard was survived by his wife, Maire Saaritsa, and their 3-year-old son, Christy, while Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin said he was “deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Glen Hansard.”
