Former Oscar winner and Irish musician Glen James Hansard died at the age of 56 in a motorcycle crash near Chapelizod in Dublin, Ireland.
His agency confirmed his passing in an official statement on Wednesday.
“With broken hearts we announce the passing of Glen Hansard. Glen’s family is deeply shocked and heartbroken by this tragic loss,” ATC Management said.
Irish police said that emergency services provided immediate treatment to the artist after the early-morning crash, but he was later pronounced dead.
Looking back: Hansard’s career highlights
Hansard was the lead singer and frontman of the Irish rock band The Frames, established by the late artist himself in 1990.
He also became popular after teaming up with pianist Marketa Irglova in the early 2000s to form The Swell Season.
The duo’s hit song ‘Falling Slowly’, which was featured in the 2007 Irish romantic film ‘Once’, also won the Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 80th Academy Awards.
Due to the song’s success, the Irish film was also adapted into a theatre production, while The Frames also released their own version of the song.
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Irish PM “deeply saddened”
Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin led the global tribute for the late artist, saying that he was “deeply saddened” by Hansard’s demise.
He described Hansard as “a talented musician and actor who made a significant contribution to Ireland’s cultural landscape over many years.”
Former United States President Barack Obama also praised Hansard for his contribution to the industry and called him “a great musician”.
“It starts with a song Michelle and I love by Glen Hansard, a great musician who passed tragically this week. Our hearts go out to his family,” Obama added.
Billie Eilish, Ed Sheeran, Bruce Springsteen, and U2 frontman Bono also remembered the legacy of Hansard as fans of the Irish icon mourn his sudden death.
Fight against homelessness
Aside from highlighting Hansard’s success in the music industry, Bono also praised the late artist for his “angelic presence” due to his fundraising activities for homeless people.
Hansard conducted multiple charity busks with fellow artists such as Bono, Sinead O’Connor, Imelda May, Shane MacGowan, Dermot Kennedy, Gavin James, Roisin O, and Damien Rice to raise funds for the Dublin Simon Community.
The group provides support to people who are homeless or individuals who are at risk of homelessness.
The charity also expressed devastation after learning about Hansard’s death and praised the artist for being a true advocate in the fight against homelessness.
“He took it upon himself to bring together Ireland’s leading musicians to help shine a spotlight on what he saw as an injustice in our society,” the Dublin Simon Community stated.
“Glen’s talents will indeed be his legacy but so too will his commitment to social justice. We will be forever indebted to him for the difference he made in the lives of the people we serve,” they added.
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