Glen Hansard, The Frames frontman, dies aged 56

musicJul 29, 202617234

Glen Hansard, the Oscar-winning songwriter and longtime frontman of The Frames, died after a single-vehicle motorcycle crash at the Strawberry Beds, Lucan, Co Dublin just before 4.30am. Gardaí said the crash occurred on a stretch of Lower Road between Tinkers Hill and Rugged Lane; the motorcyclist, described as a man in his 50s, was treated at the scene and pronounced dead a short time later. Hansard’s management confirmed his death and asked for privacy for his family, colleagues and friends. Hansard won an Academy Award in 2008 for the song Falling Slowly, written with Markéta Irglová for the film Once; he also appeared in the 1991 film The Commitments and led The Frames from his teenage years. He lived between Kildare and Helsinki with his wife, poet Maire Saaritsa, and the couple had one son. Garda forensic collision investigators preserved the scene and Gardaí are appealing for witnesses and footage, asking anyone with information to contact Lucan Garda station at (01) 666 7300, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.

The Journal

@thejournal.ie

Glen Hansard, Oscar-winning songwriter and lead singer with Dublin band The Frames has died aged 56. jrnl.ie/7116253

303h ago

Suaimhneas1

Jeez Why must the great always die young. RIP Glen.

Quoting this

The Rude Pundit14

Fucking hell. This one really hurts.

against méabh!9

can't libel the dead so i imagine a lot of stuff no one would put in writing will get discussed a lot more openly now

Colm O’Gorman8

Ah no. This is terribly sad news. Heartfelt condolences to all who loved him.

Ian Lynam he/him5

Incredibly generous man, especially when it came to flip phones

Susan Lanigan3

Holy shit. He was part of the furniture. RIP.

Dee3

Ah, what sad news. RIP Glen Hansard 🙏

Madeley2

Oh no this is so sad. A superb writer and musician. His song Fitzcarraldo is one of my all-time favourites.

sharkastic.bsky.social2

Unlock your teenage daughters and let them be free.

AineMcCaul ✍🏼2

Oh this is just awful! Falling Slowly and the film Once have haunted my thoughts since I first saw him perform. What an utterly tragic loss. RIP Glen Hansard.

Gavan Reilly

@gavreilly.com

The death has occurred of musician and Oscar winner Glen Hansard. He was 56. The Frames frontman has been named as the fatality from an early-morning motorcycle accident at the Strawberry Beds in West Dublin. @virginmedianews.bsky.social

473h ago

Kevin Fitz2

Ah no... Great artist. Great person. Very sad to hear this.

Elizabeth Boyle

@thecelticist.bsky.social

This is a sad and shocking loss. #speirgorm #spéirghorm Glen Hansard, singer, frontman of The Frames and Oscar winner, has died aged 56 jrnl.ie/7116253

343h ago

Quoting this

Anne O'Leary5

Oh my God, this is awful news. RIP Glen Hansard

Melissa Jo Peltier3

bsky.app/profile/thec... Such a tragic loss; so young. So much more music to play. Condolences to his family & all lovers of his talents.

Alan

@alanmaguire.bsky.social

In the 2000s I thought The Frames were one of the best bands of all time and then I learned some stuff and haven’t listened to them since and that’s all I’ll say about that

403h ago

Stereogum

@stereogum.com

Glen Hansard has died in a motorcycle crash at age 56

162h ago

Quoting this

the Mountain Goats144

Oh, my God. Nicest guy. Was on the Pogues bill at Carnegie with him. His love of music was palpable, infectious, radiant. I’ve seldom seen a musician as connected to the moment of the song as he was that night, in deep communion with the song & the people playing it. So many felt it. Hard loss.

Sean Walters

@seanwrite.bsky.social

Sorry to hear Irish singer-songwriter and musician Glen Hansard has died at 56. The frontman for band The Frames and half of duo The Swell Season, Hansard also acted in 2008 film ONCE which won an Oscar for best song (“Falling Slowly”). #RIPGlenHansard m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYoc...

162h ago

Richard Watts

@richardthewatts.bsky.social

Shocked and saddened to learn that Irish muso Glen Hansard of The Frames and a talented and collegiate solo artist (his Christmas Busks on Dublin's Grafton Street were iconic) has died in a motorbike accident. Might be the night to rewatch Once, I think... www.irishtimes.com/culture/musi...

62h ago

Ciarán O' Driscoll / Ó Drisceoil

@bearaboi.bsky.social

Goodness. This is a shock. The album 'Setlist' from The Frames was one I listened to in its entirety as a teenager. www.thejournal.ie/glen-hansard...

83h ago

benjamin

@benjamino.bsky.social

Farewell Glen Hansard, nothing but respect for someone who can offer their own imprint on a Jason Molina classic

62h ago

Dr. Sandra Duffy Golden

@sandraduffy.bsky.social

I can't tell you how formative The Frames were for me. I've seen them live more times than I can count. I've sung on stage with them. That band gave me everything for the early years of my adult life and I'll never forget that.

63h ago

Mary S Butler

@marysbutler.bsky.social

So sad to read about the loss of Glen Hansard earlier this morning. Have been a fan since seeing him in The Commitments. Also enjoyed his The Frames and Swell Season shows. May he RIP.

53h ago

Patrick McGahon

@paadzer.bsky.social

Rest in peace 😢 Oscar winner Glen Hansard, who found fame after starring in The Commitments and with his band The Frames, has been killed in a motorcycle crash in Co Dublin. Hansard (56) died following a single-vehicle crash #glenhansard #frames

53h ago

Marie Phillips

@mariephillips.bsky.social

Shocked to hear the news of the death of Glen Hansard. I met him when I was a teenager, my friends and I were the only people dancing at a Frames gig. He invited us to hang with the band after, singing songs on the guitar. After that he was always warm and friendly when I saw him. The loveliest man.

31h ago

Cloudland Blue Quartet

@misterquartet.bsky.social

Very sad news indeed. “Falling Slowly” is an absolute classic which deserves to be heard by everyone… www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

32h ago

Matt DeLong

@mattdelong.bsky.social

Sad news about Glen Hansard. I always thought Swell Season’s cover of Dylan’s “You Ain’t Going Nowhere” from the I’m Not There soundtrack was the definitive version of the song

32h ago

3 sources

irishtimes.comOscar-winning musician and actor Glen Hansard dies in Dublin motorbike crash irishexaminer.comOscar winning musician Glen Hansard dies after motorcycle crash in Dublin gbnews.comOscar-winning musician Glen Hansard dies following early-hours motorbike crash

Glen Hansard, The Frames frontman, dies aged 56music

Glen Hansard, The Frames frontman, dies aged 56

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