Oscar-winning Irish singer Glen Hansard dies in motorcycle accident at 56

Irish singer-songwriter and actor Glen Hansard, celebrated for his Oscar-winning song 'Falling Slowly' and his role in the iconic film 'The Commitments,' has died at the age of 56. His representatives confirmed his passing on Wednesday, stating he died following a motorcycle accident near Dublin.

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The family of Glen is deeply shocked and devastated by this tragic loss and respectfully requests that their privacy be respected during this very difficult time.

The accident occurred on a road in southwest Dublin early Wednesday morning. Despite receiving medical attention at the scene, Hansard succumbed to his injuries shortly after. The Irish police, known as Garda, confirmed the incident in a statement. His family expressed profound shock and sorrow, requesting privacy during this difficult time.

Hansard first gained widespread recognition for his portrayal of the guitarist in Alan Parker's 1991 film 'The Commitments,' which depicted a group of working-class Dublin youths forming a soul band. Alongside his acting career, Hansard was a dedicated musician, fronting the band The Frames and collaborating with Czech singer Markéta Irglová in the duo Swell Season.

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Well, I grew up in Ballymun. I don't make a big deal of it, but I grew up witnessing the difficulties that my friends and family were going through.

His international breakthrough came with the song 'Falling Slowly,' co-written and performed with Irglová for the film 'Once,' for which they received the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2008. Hansard, who was married and had a son, divided his time between Ireland and Iceland. He remained connected to his roots in Dublin's Ballymun neighborhood, often participating in social campaigns and performing annually on Grafton Street on Christmas Eve to benefit the homeless, an act of solidarity he continued even after achieving fame.

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there was a great sense of community.