A motorcycle crash claimed the life of Irish musician Glen Hansard early on Wednesday at the age of 56, according to his management company, reports BritPanorama.
Fans and public figures have expressed their condolences online, with Prime Minister Micheál Martin voicing his deep sadness over the loss of “a talented musician and actor who made a significant contribution to Ireland’s cultural landscape over many years.”
Hansard, who rose to fame after winning a Best Original Song Oscar in 2008 for the indie film “Once,” had been performing since his teenage years, initially busking on the streets of Dublin before co-founding the rock band The Frames in 1990.
Throughout his career, he released several albums as a solo artist and as part of the duo The Swell Season with fellow “Once” co-star Marketa Irglova. Their Oscar-winning duet “Falling Slowly” and other original songs featured prominently in the film, which was later adapted into a successful Broadway musical that garnered eight Tony Awards in 2012.
Accepting his Oscar, Hansard expressed disbelief, stating, “What are we doing here? This is mad.” His prior acting experience was limited to his role as a band member in the acclaimed 1991 film “The Commitments.”
In a statement, ATC Management announced, “With broken hearts we announce the passing of Glen Hansard who passed away, in the early hours of this morning, following a road-traffic accident in Dublin,” extending gratitude to emergency services for their assistance.
According to Irish police, Hansard was involved in a single-vehicle motorcycle collision in the west of Dublin. Emergency services received the call shortly before 4:30 a.m., but the man was pronounced dead shortly after receiving treatment at the scene.
