Glen Hansard, the Irish singer and actor who won an Academy Award for Best Original Song for the film "Once," has died in a motorcycle accident at the age of 56.
Hansard's agency, ATC Management, released a statement on the 29th local time saying, "It is with great sadness that we share the news that Glen Hansard passed away following a traffic accident in Dublin early this morning."
The agency added, "His family is in deep shock and grief over this sudden tragedy."
Born in Dublin in 1970, Hansard began his musical journey as a street busker. He formed the rock band The Frames in 1990 and gained public recognition the following year by appearing in the musical comedy film "The Commitments."
He achieved global acclaim following the success of the movie "Once." Starring alongside Czech singer Markéta Irglová, the film depicts the story of a man and a woman who meet on the street and understand and communicate with each other through music. Upon its release in South Korea in 2007, it drew over 200,000 viewers and sparked a sensation.
In addition to starring in the film, Hansard composed and performed its signature song, "Falling Slowly." The track won the Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 2008 Oscars.
Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin expressed his condolences on social media, writing, "He was a talented musician and actor who made a massive contribution to Irish culture over many years." Bono, the frontman of Ireland's world-renowned rock band U2, also paid tribute on social media, calling him "an angelic presence, the voice of the street, and a choir of angels in one person."
He is survived by his wife, poet Maire Saritsa, and their 3-year-old son.
(Photo: Yonhap News / Reported by Kim Ji-hye, SBS Entertainment News)
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