Glen Hansard, the Oscar-winning Irish musician and activist, died in a motorcycle crash in Dublin on Wednesday morning, aged 56. Ireland's President led tributes to the frontman of The Frames, who also featured in the film The Commitments.
Details of the crash
Irish police said a man in his 50s died in a single-vehicle motorcycle crash on Lower Road, Strawberry Beds, Lucan, on the outskirts of Dublin, before 4.30am. He was treated at the scene but was pronounced dead a short time later. The man was not named by police.
His publicists ATC management said in a statement to the Press Association: 'With broken hearts we announce the passing of Glen Hansard in the early hours of this morning.' The firm told RTÉ: 'Glen's family is deeply shocked and heartbroken by this tragic loss and respectfully requests privacy at this extremely difficult time. The family is grateful for the support they have received and wishes to thank the emergency services who attended the scene.'
Tributes from Irish leaders
Ireland's President Catherine Connolly described Hansard as 'one of Ireland's great singer-songwriters' and said he was 'renowned for his incomparable live performances'. She said: 'Glen and his band The Frames stood out as one of the leaders of the thriving wave of Irish bands who emerged in the 1990s and were the source of so much inspiration to a generation of young people and musicians.'
She added: 'Glen will also be remembered for the generosity with which he shared his fame, providing encouragement to young musicians and performers, while working to assist with important causes, in particular those suffering from homelessness, with his annual Christmas Eve busk in Dublin's city centre, one of the highlights of the Christmas period. Glen was one of the vital driving influences of the Irish music world, bringing people together in the sharing of live music. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him or experienced his work.'
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said in a social media post: 'Deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Glen Hansard. A talented musician and actor who made a significant contribution to Ireland's cultural landscape over many years. My sincere sympathies to his family, friends, and fans.'
Ireland's deputy premier Simon Harris expressed condolences, saying Hansard had gained 'international success over a long and varied career'. He added: 'I send my thoughts to his wife and their young son, all his family and friends as well as all those that knew him.'
Musical career and activism
Hansard, from Ballymun, was the frontman for The Frames, featured in the iconic Irish film The Commitments, and won an Academy Award for Best Original Song for 'Falling Slowly' in 2008, which he co-wrote with Markéta Irglová for the movie Once. He also kickstarted the celebrity Christmas Eve busk near Dublin's Grafton Street to fundraise for the homeless. He was one half of the rock duo The Swell Season and released solo albums, including Didn't He Ramble, which was nominated for a Grammy for Best Folk Album in 2016.
Hansard took part in protests against Ireland's housing crisis, a march to mark three years since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and the anti-austerity water charge protests in 2014. At the funeral of The Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan in 2023, he performed 'Fairytale Of New York' with Irish singer Lisa O'Neill, which prompted dancing in the aisles of the Co Tipperary church.
He is survived by his wife, Finnish poet Maire Saaritsa, and their three-year-old son Christy. Tributes have been paid from across the world, including from Bruce Springsteen and Ed Sheeran.
