> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.itsthepictures.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Remembering Glen Hansard (1970 - 2026)
- URL: https://www.itsthepictures.com/remembering-glen-hansard-1970-2026/
- Published: 2026-07-29T13:37:08.000Z
- Updated: 2026-07-29T13:37:08.000Z
- Author: Max Covill
- Tags: Features

I was shocked to learn this morning that the great musician Glen Hansard [passed away at the age of 56 in a motorbike crash in Dublin](https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/2026/07/29/glen-hansard-dies-in-dublin-motorbike-crash/?ref=itsthepictures.com). Like many others, I first learned of Hansard through John Carney's 2007 film **Once**. The Irish musical dealt with two struggling musicians in Dublin and starred Hansard and Marketa Irglova. It was a sensation, earning many times over its budget, and its centerpiece song, *Falling Slowly*, won the 2008 Academy Award for Best Original Song. 

That was just the beginning of *Once*'s legacy as it would be adapted into a stage musical in 2011\. That version of the story received eleven Tony Award nominations, and won eight including Best Musical, Best Actor and Best Book. 

*Once* is such a miracle. The films budget is apparent as soon as you hit play as the granny footage looks as though a bunch of friends got together and shot it on Super-8 cameras (It was actually shot on a Sony HVR-Z1E in 1080i resolution, so don't expect a Blu-ray or 4K to look especially good). Director Carney didn't have a lot of money for the production and this was a movie that called for extensive original songs. It took everyone squeezing every little thing they had creatively into it. 

Hansard was more than *Once* though. Due to their connection during filming Once, Hansard and Irglova were romantically involved and went on to sing together as The Swell Season.

They would release three albums together– *The Swell Season*, *Strict Joy*, and *Forward*. 

Carney knew of Hansard originally due to Hansard's band, The Frames. Hansard released seven albums with the band. A terrible tragedy, Hansard will be greatly missed. I've included some links to some other performances from Hansard that I've loved throughout the years. 

Here he is at Shane MacGowan's funeral:

Covering Neutral Milk Hotel's Two-Headed Boy: