Oscar-winning songwriter Glen Hansard killed in crash - BBC

What the report says

BBC News reported that Irish musician and songwriter Glen Hansard has died at age 56 after a motorbike crash in Dublin. According to the report, the single-vehicle collision happened on Lower Road in Lucan, west of the city, and was reported to emergency services shortly before 04:30 local time on Wednesday.

Hansard was best known as the longtime lead singer of The Frames and for his role in the 1991 film The Commitments. He later gained wider international recognition through Once, the low-budget 2007 musical romance in which he starred with Markéta Irglová. Their song “Falling Slowly” won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2008. BBC News also noted his work with Irglová as The Swell Season and his Grammy-nominated 2016 solo album Didn’t He Ramble.

ATC Management, which represented Hansard, said his family was shocked and heartbroken and thanked emergency responders, the BBC reported. Tributes cited in the article came from figures including Bruce Springsteen, Ed Sheeran, Bono, Rachel Zegler, Andrew Strong and Irish political leaders. Taoiseach Micheál Martin described Hansard as an important contributor to Ireland’s cultural life, while Irish President Catherine Connolly highlighted his influence on young musicians and live music culture.

The BBC also emphasized Hansard’s charitable work, particularly his annual Christmas Eve busk in Dublin, begun in 2010, which raised money and awareness for homelessness causes. An online book of condolence has been opened, with in-person access at Dublin’s Mansion House on Thursday and Friday.