Oscar-winning songwriter Glen Hansard killed in crash

What the report says

BBC World News reported that Oscar-winning Irish musician Glen Hansard has died at the age of 56 after a motorbike crash in Dublin. The broadcaster said the single-vehicle incident happened on Lower Road in Lucan, west of the city, and was reported to emergency services shortly before 04:30 local time on Wednesday. Police are seeking witnesses.

Hansard was best known as the lead singer of The Frames and as one half of The Swell Season. He gained international recognition for “Falling Slowly,” the song he co-wrote for the low-budget 2007 musical film Once, which won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. BBC also noted his acting role as Outspan Foster in The Commitments.

According to the BBC, Hansard was born in Dublin in 1970 and began performing as a busker on the city’s streets before building a career across rock, folk and film. His solo work included the album Didn’t He Ramble, which received a Grammy nomination for Best Folk Album in 2016.

ATC Management, which represented Hansard, announced his death and said his family was devastated and had asked for privacy. The statement also thanked emergency responders who attended the scene. BBC reported that Hansard was the father of a three-year-old boy. His death is significant because he was one of Ireland’s most internationally recognized contemporary musicians, with work spanning grassroots performance, cinema and major awards recognition.