Glen Hansard facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Glen Hansard
Hansard in 2015
Born	Glen James Hansard (1970-04-21)21 April 1970 Ballymun, Dublin, Ireland
Died	29 July 2026(2026-07-29) (aged 56) Strawberry Beds, Dublin, Ireland
Occupation	Singer-songwriter musician
Spouse(s)	Maire Saaritsa ​ (m. 2022)​
Partner(s)	Markéta Irglová (2006–2009)
Children	1
Musical career
Genres	Folk rock folk rock alternative rock indie folk indie rock
Instruments	Guitar piano mandolin
Years active	1990–2026
Labels	Plateau Records Overcoat Recordings Island Records

Hansard and Markéta Irglová playing at Cool Discs record store, Derry, Northern Ireland, April 2006

Glen James Hansard (born April 21, 1970 – died July 29, 2026) was a talented Irish singer, songwriter, and actor. He was well-known as the lead singer of the Irish rock band the Frames starting in 1990. With The Frames, he released many successful albums. Glen was also part of the folk rock duo the Swell Season. Later, he began a successful solo career, releasing albums like Rhythm and Repose and Didn't He Ramble, which was even nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Folk Album.

Beyond music, Glen Hansard also acted in films. He appeared in the comedy-drama The Commitments (1991) and the romantic drama Cyrano (2021). He starred in the musical film Once (2007). For this film, he co-wrote the song "Falling Slowly" with Markéta Irglová, which won an Academy Award for Best Original Song. The movie Once was so popular that it was later turned into a musical play.

Glen Hansard was from Ballymun in Dublin, Ireland. He married Finnish poet Maire Saaritsa in 2022, and they had a child. Glen passed away in an accident in Dublin in July 2026, at the age of 56.

Early Life and First Steps in Music

Glen James Hansard was born on April 21, 1970, in Ballymun, Dublin, Ireland. He was one of six children. Glen left school at 13 years old to start playing music on the streets of Dublin. This is called busking.

Glen Hansard's Musical Journey

Starting with The Frames and The Swell Season

In 1990, Glen Hansard formed his own band, the Frames. They played music regularly in Ireland. Glen also gained international attention as the guitar player Outspan Foster in the 1991 film The Commitments. He later hosted a TV show called Other Voices: Songs from a Room in 2003. This show featured talented Irish musicians.

In 2006, Glen released his first album outside of The Frames. It was called The Swell Season. He made this album with Czech singer and musician Markéta Irglová and other artists.

Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová starred in the Irish music film Once in 2007. They also wrote the original songs for the movie. The film was very successful, winning the World Cinema Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival. Their song "Falling Slowly" won an Academy Award in 2008 for Best Original Song. The film's soundtrack also received a Grammy Award nomination.

Solo Music and Film Projects

Besides his work with The Frames and The Swell Season, Glen Hansard contributed to other projects. He was part of the band for the 2006 Oxfam charity album The Cake Sale. He also recorded a version of Bob Dylan's "You Ain't Goin' Nowhere" for the 2007 film I'm Not There.

Hansard live at Vicar Street, Dublin, 31 December 2006

In 2009, The Swell Season released a new album of original songs called Strict Joy, again with Markéta Irglová.

In 2011, Glen joined Eddie Vedder on his American solo tour. He also performed at the opening of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Guitar Heroes exhibit. Glen played many guitars, including a special acoustic guitar he called "The Horse."

His first solo album, Rhythm and Repose, was released in 2012. One of his songs, "This Gift," was featured in the film The Odd Life of Timothy Green. Glen also sang "Take the Heartland" for The Hunger Games movie soundtrack in 2012. He even appeared as himself in an episode of the TV series Parenthood.

In 2015, Glen Hansard and Lisa Hannigan recorded "On Love" for the film Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet. In 2018, he sang at a special concert celebrating Joni Mitchell's 75th birthday. In October 2022, Glen recorded "Take Heart" with Markéta Irglová, Bono, and Ukrainian refugees. This song was a message of hope during a global event.

Special Performances

Glen Hansard performed with many famous musicians. In July 2013, he sang with Bruce Springsteen in Ireland. In July 2015, he performed Irish songs with Ed Sheeran in Dublin. He also toured with Eddie Vedder in 2022.

Musical Inspirations

Glen Hansard often spoke about the musicians who inspired him. He called Leonard Cohen, Van Morrison, and Bob Dylan the "holy trinity" in his childhood home. Bob Dylan was especially important to him.

Glen and the Frames toured as a supporting act for Bob Dylan in Australia and New Zealand in 2007. Glen also often performed songs by Van Morrison in his concerts.

About His Life

Glen Hansard was raised as a Catholic. Later, he joined the Hare Krishna movement after meeting some followers while busking.

Glen and Markéta Irglová first met in 2001 at a music festival. They became close friends and musical partners.

In 2008, Glen attended a four-week filmmaking workshop at the New York Film Academy.

From 2010 onwards, Glen led an annual Christmas Eve charity event in Dublin. Musicians performed for crowds to help the Dublin Simon Community, which supports people experiencing homelessness. Glen also supported social causes, like protests about Ireland's housing crisis and other community issues. He was part of the Home Sweet Home Group, which worked to help homeless people.

Glen Hansard married Finnish poet Maire Saaritsa in December 2022. Their first child, a boy, was born in October 2022. They lived in both Ireland and Maire's home city, Helsinki.

In December 2023, Glen performed a song called "Fairytale of New York" with Lisa O'Neill. This was at the funeral service for fellow musician Shane MacGowan in Ireland.

His Passing and Tributes

Glen Hansard passed away in an accident in the Strawberry Beds area of Dublin on July 29, 2026. He was 56 years old.

After Glen's death, many people shared their sadness and memories. Taoiseach Micheál Martin said Glen made a "significant contribution to Ireland's cultural landscape." Former Irish President Michael D. Higgins called him "a wonderful musician and performer" with "a gift for storytelling." U2 frontman Bono remembered him as "this most musical and mischievous archangel of Ballymun."

Awards and Nominations

Discography

Solo

Studio albums

EPs

• Drive All Night (2013)
• It Was Triumph We Once Proposed...Songs of Jason Molina (2015)
• A Season on the Line (2016)

Singles

• "This Gift" (2012) (promo)
• "High Hope" (2012) (promo)
• "Bird of Sorrow" (2012) (promo)
• "Love Don't Leave Me Waiting" (2012) (promo)
• "Winning Streak" (2015)
• "Lowly Deserter" (2015)
• "Cold Comfort" (2020)

The Frames

• Another Love Song (1991)
• Fitzcarraldo (1995)
• Dance the Devil (1999)
• For the Birds (2001)
• Breadcrumb Trail (2002)
• Set List (2003)
• Burn the Maps (2004)
• The Cost (2006)
• Longitude (2015)

The Swell Season

• The Swell Season (2006)
• Once: Music from the Motion Picture (2007)
• Strict Joy (2009)
• Forward (2025)

Films and Television

• The Commitments (1991)
• Once (2007)
• Austin City Limits (2008)
• The Simpsons (2009 episode: "In the Name of the Grandfather")
• Ballymun Lullaby (2011; documentary)
• The Swell Season (2011)
• Play (2011)
• Parenthood (2012 episode: "Trouble in Candyland")
• In the Deep Shade (2013 documentary, with the Irish band the Frames)
• Late Show with David Letterman (2013, episode: 12 December) musical guest
• Live on Letterman (Concert webcast, 12 December 2013)
• The Last Man on Earth (2016 episode "Falling Slowly")
• Cyrano (2021, guard #1)
• Flag Day (2021)
• Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2023, episode: 3 October) musical guest

See also

In Spanish: Glen Hansard para niños