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Musician Glen Hansard dies aged 56 after Dublin motorcycle crash
Developed over time first seen 4 months ago
Irish musician and actor Glen Hansard has died at the age of 56 following a motorcycle crash in Dublin, prompting tributes from across the music and film world, including Bruce Springsteen, Rachel Zegler and Warren Ellis. The single-vehicle collision took place in Lucan, west Dublin, shortly before 5am on 29 July 2026, the day his death was confirmed, and his management said his family, colleagues and friends were still coming to terms with the news. Hansard's death marks the loss of one of Ireland's most acclaimed songwriters and performers, whose work spanned music and film over more than three decades.
Hansard was best known as frontman of The Frames, whom he led through six studio albums including the chart-topping "Burn The Maps" (2004), and as one half of The Swell Season alongside Markéta Irglová, with whom he wrote the Oscar-winning "Falling Slowly" for the 2007 film "Once", in which he also starred. He earlier appeared in the 1991 hit film "The Commitments" and released his most recent solo album, "All That Was East Is West of Me Now", in 2023. Tributes have described him as a generous, warm-hearted figure and a generational talent, with fans and fellow musicians recalling his live performances and offering condolences to his family, who reports say include a wife and young child.
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In short
- Musician and actor Glen Hansard has died aged 56 in a Dublin motorcycle crash
- Frontman of The Frames, co-wrote Oscar-winning "Falling Slowly" from "Once"
- Tributes paid by Bruce Springsteen, Rachel Zegler, Warren Ellis and others
How this story developed
- 4 months ago Additional tributes emerged, including a public message from broadcaster Today FM, as reports further detailed his role as "Guy" in "Once", for which he also wrote the music.
- 4 months ago Coverage confirmed further details of his personal life and career, reporting that he is survived by his wife and their three-year-old child alongside his acting credit as Outspan Foster in "The Commitments".
- 4 months ago Irish musician and actor Glen Hansard, best known as The Frames frontman and co-star of "Once", died aged 56 after a single-vehicle motorcycle crash in Lucan, Dublin, before 5am on 29 July 2026, drawing tributes from figures including Bruce Springsteen, Rachel Zegler and Warren Ellis.
Explained simply
Glen Hansard was a well-known Irish musician and actor, best recognised as the frontman of the rock band The Frames, which he led through six studio albums over more than two decades. He also gained international fame as one half of the duo The Swell Season with Markéta Irglová, with whom he starred in the 2007 film "Once" and co-wrote its song "Falling Slowly", which won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. Earlier in his career, he appeared in the 1991 film "The Commitments", playing the guitarist Outspan Foster.
Beyond his acting roles, Hansard built a long-running solo music career, releasing his most recent album in 2023, and remained a familiar figure on the Irish and international live music circuit. He was widely respected within the music industry and had a devoted fanbase built up over more than 30 years of performing.
The story concerns his death at the age of 56, which followed a road traffic collision in Dublin. It has prompted an outpouring of tributes from fans, fellow musicians and broadcasters, reflecting his standing in both the music and film worlds.
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Originally published by NME as “Glen Hansard dies following motorcycle crash in Dublin”.