Glen Hansard, Oscar-winning Irish musician, dies at 56 in motorcycle crash

Jul 29, 2026

Glen Hansard, the Oscar-winning Irish singer-songwriter, has died at 56 in a motorcycle crash in Dublin. Known for his role in the film *Once* and for the Academy Award-winning song "Falling Slowly," Hansard was also the frontman of The Frames and a passionate advocate for the homeless. Tributes from figures like Bono and the Irish Prime Minister praised his immense talent and generosity. He is survived by his wife and young son.

Dublin motorcycle crash

▪The crash was reported to emergency services shortly before 4:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 29, 2026.
▪Glen Hansard, an Oscar-winning Irish musician, died at age 56 in a single-vehicle motorcycle crash.
▪The fatal crash occurred on Lower Road in Lucan, a suburb of Dublin.
▪Glen Hansard was treated at the scene but was pronounced dead a short time later.
▪Irish police are appealing for witnesses to the crash.

Film acting roles

▪The film "Once" won the World Cinema Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival.
▪Hansard co-starred with musician Markéta Irglová in the 2007 indie musical film "Once."
▪Hansard made his acting debut in the 1991 film "The Commitments," playing the character Outspan Foster.

Music career highlights

▪Hansard performed with Markéta Irglová as the rock duo The Swell Season.
▪Hansard began his music career busking on Dublin's streets at age 13 after leaving school.
▪Glen Hansard was the frontman for the Irish rock group The Frames, which he formed in 1990.

Oscar Grammy nominations

▪A Broadway adaptation of "Once," featuring Hansard and Irglová's songs, won eight Tony Awards in 2012.
▪Hansard and Markéta Irglová won the 2008 Academy Award for Best Original Song for "Falling Slowly."
▪Hansard's 2015 solo album "Didn't He Ramble" was nominated for a Grammy for Best Folk Album in 2016.

Homelessness charity work

▪The Dublin Simon Community described Hansard as "a giant in the fight against homelessness."
▪Hansard led an annual Christmas Eve charity busk in Dublin in aid of the Dublin Simon Community.
▪The Christmas Eve busk, which began in 2010, has raised over €2 million for the homeless charity.

Tributes and Personal Life

▪Glen Hansard is survived by his wife, Maire Saaritsa, and their three-year-old son, Christy.
▪Tributes were paid by Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin, U2 frontman Bono, and musician Bruce Springsteen.