Glen Hansard, the Irish folk-rock musician and actor, has died at the age of 56. Hansard, known for fronting the band The Frames and for his Oscar-winning role in the 2007 film 'Once', died early on Wednesday morning in a motorcycle crash in Lucan, near Dublin.
Irish police stated that he was treated at the scene for his injuries but died a short time later, without naming him at the time. Hansard's representatives issued a statement requesting privacy for his family during this difficult time and thanked the emergency services.
Hansard won an Oscar for Best Original Song for 'Falling Slowly', which he co-wrote with Markéta Irglová for 'Once'. The film, which also starred Irglová, was later adapted into a successful stage musical in 2011. As frontman of The Frames, Hansard released six studio albums, including the 2004 Irish chart-topper 'Burn the Maps'.
Ireland’s culture minister, Patrick O’Donovan, paid tribute, noting Hansard's significant impact on modern Irish storytelling and music.