Dublin: Irish singer-songwriter Glen Hansard, who won an Academy Award for the 2007 film Once, died in a motorcycle crash near Dublin early Wednesday, his management company said. He was 56.

According to United News of Bangladesh, ATC Management told Irish broadcaster RTE that Hansard’s family was ‘deeply shocked and heartbroken’ by his death. Tributes poured in from fellow musicians and artists, including Bruce Springsteen, who expressed his sorrow over the loss of ‘a great musician, a good friend and a generous and gracious man.’

Irish police reported that a man in his 50s died after a single-vehicle motorcycle crash in Lucan, west of Dublin, shortly before 4:30 a.m. Wednesday. Although police did not identify the man, they confirmed he was treated at the scene but was later pronounced dead.

Hansard’s career spanned both acting and music. He first gained attention as a member of a Dublin soul band in the 1991 hit film The Commitments before achieving international acclaim as a singer-songwriter. He won the Oscar for best original song in 2008 for ‘Falling Slowly,’ which he co-wrote with his Once co-star Mark©ta Irglov¡. The film tells the story of two struggling musicians who form a close bond while pursuing their musical ambitions.

The success of Once extended to the stage when it was adapted into a Broadway musical featuring songs by Hansard and Irglov¡. The stage production won eight Tony Awards in 2012, including best musical. Hansard was also the longtime frontman of the rock band The Frames and formed the musical duo The Swell Season with Irglov¡. He released several solo albums, including Didn’t He Ramble, which earned a Grammy nomination for best folk album in 2016.

Ireland’s President Catherine Connolly described Hansard as one of the country’s great singer-songwriters. She acknowledged his significant influence on the Irish music scene and his role in bringing people together through live music. Actor and comedian Chris O’Dowd praised Hansard’s ‘energizing melodies and soulful, searching voice,’ noting that his music provided comfort during difficult times and enhanced joyful moments.

Hansard began his musical journey as a street busker in Dublin. He became known for leading the city’s annual Christmas Eve busk outside the Gaiety Theatre, where well-known Irish musicians perform to raise money for a homelessness charity. Former Irish President Michael D. Higgins remembered Hansard as a ‘wonderful musician and performer’ who dedicated much of his life to addressing social issues.

In 2023, Hansard performed a poignant rendition of The Pogues’ ‘Fairytale Of New York’ with Irish singer Lisa O’Neill at the funeral of The Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan. The performance deeply moved mourners, with some members of the congregation dancing in the church aisles.

Hansard is survived by his wife, Finnish poet Maire Saaritsa, and their 3-year-old son, Christy.