Oscar-winning Irish musician Glen Hansard dies aged 56

Shocking news.

Mr Hansard was best known as the frontman of the Irish rock band The Frames and for his roles in the Irish music-comedy-drama movies The Commitments and Once.

Alongside Markéta Irglová, he won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2008. This was for the track "Falling Slowly" that appeared in Once, which he starred in opposite Irglová.

Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová at the Oscars

In a statement, Gardaí said they were appealing for witnesses after a fatal single-vehicle collision on Lower Road, Strawberry Beds, Lucan, Dublin on Wednesday, 29 July 2026.

Shortly before 4.30am, Gardaí and emergency services were alerted to the collision involving a motorcycle on the R109 Lower Road, between Tinkers Hill (R121) and Rugged Lane.

The motorcyclist, a man in his 50s, was treated at the scene but was pronounced deceased a short time later.

It was later reported that the victim of the crash was Glen Hansard.

Born in Ballymun in Dublin in 1970, the singer-songwriter began busking on local streets as a teenager.

Alongside Irglová, Hansard was also part of folk rock duo The Swell Season. On top of this, he was an acclaimed solo artist, releasing five studio albums.

His second solo record, Didn't He Ramble, earned a nomination at the Grammy Awards for Best Folk Album.

Glen Hansard performing at The Roundhouse in London on May 23, 2026

Mr Hansard was married to the Finnish poet Maire Saaritsa, with whom he had a son in 2022.

"To be of service to this young mind, to this young life... I can’t believe I didn’t do it before now. Isn’t it true that when the student is ready, the teacher appears?”

Speaking about being a musician, he added: "I love this life, and I get to play to people all over the world who are interested in hearing what I have to say, people who actually pay me to do it. That’s a huge privilege."

ATC, Mr Hansard's management company, said in a statement: “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.

“Glen’s family is deeply shocked and heartbroken by this tragic loss and respectfully requests privacy at this extremely difficult time. The family is grateful for the support they have received and wishes to thank the emergency services who attended the scene.

“As this matter remains the subject of an active Garda investigation, no further comment will be made at this time.”

The scene of the crash has been preserved for examination by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators. Local traffic diversions are currently in place.

"Gardaí are appealing to anyone who witnessed the incident to come forward. Road users who may have relevant camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in the area at the time are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí," a Garda spokesperson said.

"Anyone with information is asked to contact Lucan Garda Station at (01) 666 7300, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any Garda station."

Ireland's Minister for Culture has paid tribute to the singer-songwriter, writing: "Few artists made as big an impact on modern Irish storytelling as Glen Hansard.

"From his early days busking on the streets of Dublin, through The Commitments, to founding rock outfit The Frames, Hansard consistently poured passion and vulnerability into every note.

"His impact will last generations in Irish music, even as his life has ended far too soon. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam."