Glen Hansard, the Irish songwriter who won an Academy Award for the Oscar‑winning song "Falling Slowly", has died in a tragic motorcycle accident on Lower Road in Lucan, west of Dublin early this morning.
Hansard’s career spanned more than three decades. He fronted the rock band The Frames, starred in the film "The Commitments" (1991) and co‑authored the critically acclaimed music for "Once" (2007), earning a 2008 Oscar for "Falling Slowly". He also released the solo album "Didn't He Ramble," which won a Grammy nomination in 2016.
The motorbike crash occurred on Lower Road in Lucan. Police are seeking witnesses, as the single‑vehicle collision forced Hansard off the path and caused the fatal injury. The accident was reported to emergency services shortly before 04:30 local time.
Hansard, who was 56, was a father to a three‑year‑old son. In a 2023 interview he expressed profound gratitude for his family, describing the birth of his child as transformative and life‑changing.
The death prompted an outpouring of tributes. The Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, tweeted that he was deeply saddened, calling Hansard a “talented musician and actor who made a significant contribution to Ireland’s cultural landscape.” Other tributes came from actor Andrew Strong, comedian Chris O’Dea, and Waterboys singer Mike Scott, who called him a "friend" and "a dream‑maker".
ATC Management, Hansard’s representation, issued a statement saying the family was "deeply shocked and heartbroken" and requested privacy during this difficult time. The statement also thanked the emergency services who responded to the crash site.
Hansard’s legacy extends beyond music. He founded the annual Christmas Eve charity busk in 2010, raising funds for the Dublin Simon Community—an organization helping people who were homeless. The busk regularly attracted prominent musicians, including Bono, Sinéad O’Connor and Mike Scott, and was described as a “true giant in the fight against homelessness.”
