DUBLIN — Glen Hansard, the Oscar-winning Irish singer-songwriter, died in a motorcycle crash in Lucan early Wednesday, according to authorities. He was 56.
Irish police reported the single-vehicle accident occurred before 4:30 a.m. The unidentified male motorcyclist was treated at the scene but was pronounced dead shortly after.
Hansard, recognized for his dual career in acting and music, gained fame for his role in the 1991 film “The Commitments” and won an Academy Award in 2008 for the song “Falling Slowly,” which featured in the film “Once.” He had a longstanding role as the frontman for the rock band The Frames and was part of the duo The Swell Season.
His management stated the family is “deeply shocked and heartbroken” by the loss. The musician was well-known for leading a charity busking event on Christmas Eve outside Dublin’s Gaiety Theatre.
Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin expressed his condolences, calling Hansard a “talented musician and actor” who significantly impacted Ireland’s cultural landscape.
Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash. No further details have been released at this time.