Glen Hansard, singer with The Frames and star of the film Once, died on 29 July 2026 at the age of 56. The Irish musician lost his life in a motorcycle accident in west Dublin. From the streets of the capital to the Oscars, he had become one of the most iconic voices of contemporary Ireland.
Glen Hansard dies in motorcycle accident in Dublin
Gardaí open an investigation
Emergency services were called shortly before 4.30am following an accident involving a single motorcycle near Lucan, in west Dublin. Despite treatment at the scene, the musician was pronounced dead.
Gardaí have opened an investigation to determine the precise circumstances of the accident. At this stage, no officially confirmed information establishes its cause.
Glen Hansard’s management team confirmed his death and asked for his family’s privacy to be respected. The singer is survived by his wife, Finnish poet Maire Saaritsa, and their young son, Christy.
From the streets of Dublin to the Oscars
A career deeply connected to Ireland
Born in Dublin in 1970, Glen Hansard began singing on the streets at the age of 13. In 1990, he founded The Frames, a band that became a defining name in Irish independent rock.
After appearing in The Commitments, he achieved worldwide success with the 2007 film Once. The song Falling Slowly, performed with Markéta Irglová, won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2008.
Despite this international recognition, Glen Hansard remained closely tied to Dublin. He regularly returned to sing on the streets of the capital and supported the Dublin Simon Community, which helps people experiencing homelessness.
A final major concert in the heart of Dublin
An evening at Trinity College before 5,000 people
On 2 July 2026, less than a month before his death, Glen Hansard performed at Trinity College as part of the Trinity Summer Series. Before around 5,000 people, he closed the evening with The Auld Triangle, a popular song closely associated with Dublin.
The image now carries a particular resonance: that of an artist surrounded by thousands of voices in the city where his career began.
Ireland pays tribute to Glen Hansard
Deep emotion across the music world
The singer’s death prompted numerous tributes. Taoiseach Micheál Martin praised his contribution to Ireland’s cultural landscape. Bruce Springsteen spoke of a great musician and a generous man, while Bono paid tribute to the voice of Dublin’s streets.
From The Frames to Once, Glen Hansard had made Dublin far more than a backdrop. The Irish capital was his first audience, his training ground and the beating heart of his music.
