Glen Hansard, the Oscar-winning Irish singer-songwriter and frontman of the band The Frames, died in a motorcycle crash in Dublin early Wednesday, his management confirmed. He was 56.
Hansard was killed in a collision near his home in Dublin, according to reports. The accident occurred in the early morning hours. No other details about the crash have been released.
Hansard won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2008 for "Falling Slowly," the centerpiece of the film "Once," in which he also starred alongside Markéta Irglová. The low-budget musical became a cultural phenomenon, earning Hansard international acclaim. He was known for his raw, emotional performances and his long tenure as the lead singer of The Frames, a Dublin-based rock band formed in 1990.
In addition to his music career, Hansard acted in several films and television shows. He frequently collaborated with other Irish musicians and was a staple of the Dublin music scene. His death has prompted an outpouring of tributes from fellow artists and fans worldwide. An investigation into the crash is ongoing.