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Oscar-winning Irish musician and actor Glen Hansard has died at the age of 56 in Dublin, according to his representatives and the Irish police.
His management, ATC Management, announced his death on Wednesday, saying his family and friends were struggling to come to terms with the loss.
“With broken hearts we announce the passing of Glen Hansard in the early hours of this morning,” ATC Management said in a post on Hansard’s website.
While the statement did not disclose the cause of death, Irish police confirmed to AFP that they were investigating a fatal single-vehicle motorcycle crash involving a man in his 50s.
Police said the rider was treated at the scene but was later pronounced dead, adding that witnesses to the incident are being sought.
“The motorcyclist, a man in his 50s, was treated at the scene but was pronounced deceased a short time later,” the police added.
Born in Ballymun, Dublin, in April 1970, Hansard began his music career as a street performer before founding the Irish rock band The Frames in 1990. As the band’s lead singer, guitarist and songwriter, he became one of Ireland’s most respected musicians.
Hansard also gained international recognition for his role as guitarist Outspan Foster in the 1991 cult classic The Commitments, directed by Alan Parker and based on Roddy Doyle’s novel. The film, which followed the rise of a Dublin soul band, won four BAFTA Awards and received Oscar and Golden Globe nominations.
In 2007, Hansard won the Academy Award for Best Original Song alongside Czech musician Marketa Irglova for “Falling Slowly”, featured in the Irish romantic drama Once. The pair starred in the film as musicians whose shared passion for music develops into a romance.
Hansard later enjoyed a successful solo career, earning multiple Grammy nominations.
Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin paid tribute, saying he was deeply saddened by the news.
He described Hansard as a gifted musician and actor whose work made a lasting contribution to Ireland’s cultural life over many years.
“Hansard was a talented musician and actor who made a significant contribution to Ireland’s cultural landscape over many years,” Martin said.
