Glen Hansard facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Glen Hansard
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Hansard in 2015
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Glen James Hansard
21 April 1970 Ballymun, Dublin, Ireland
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| Spouse(s) |
Maire Saaritsa
(m. 2022) |
| Partner(s) | Markéta Irglová (2006–2009) |
| Children | 1 |
| Musical career | |
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| Years active | 1990–present |
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Glen James Hansard (born 21 April 1970) is an Irish singer, songwriter, and musician. He is well-known for his powerful voice and heartfelt songs. Since 1990, he has been the lead singer of the Irish rock band The Frames. They have released six studio albums, with four reaching the top ten in Ireland.
In the 2000s, Glen was also part of a folk rock duo called The Swell Season. He later started his solo career, releasing his first album, Rhythm and Repose, in 2012. His second album, Didn't He Ramble (2015), was even nominated for a Grammy Award!
Besides music, Glen has also acted in movies and written songs for films. He appeared in the film The Commitments (1991). He also starred in the Irish music drama Once (2007). This movie brought him many awards, including an Academy Award for Best Original Song for "Falling Slowly". He wrote this song with his co-star, Markéta Irglová. The film Once was later turned into a popular musical play.
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Glen Hansard's Music Journey
Glen Hansard started his music career early. He left school at age 13 to become a street musician in Dublin, Ireland. In 1990, he formed his own band, The Frames. The band has been playing concerts regularly in Ireland ever since.
Glen gained international attention in 1991. He played the guitar player Outspan Foster in the film The Commitments. He later said he regretted taking the role. He felt it took him away from his music. In 2003, he hosted a TV show called Other Voices: Songs from a Room. This show featured talented Irish musicians.
The Swell Season and Once
On 22 April 2006, Glen released his first album without The Frames. It was called The Swell Season. He worked on this album with Czech singer and musician Markéta Irglová. They also had Marja Tuhkanen from Finland on violin and Bertrand Galen from France on cello.
In 2006, Glen also filmed the Irish movie Once. In the movie, Glen plays a street musician in Dublin. Markéta Irglová plays an immigrant who sells flowers. The film was first shown in the United States at the Sundance Film Festival in 2007. It won an award there.
Glen and Markéta Irglová formed a musical duo called The Swell Season. They released another album together called Strict Joy in 2009.
Other Music Projects
Glen Hansard has been involved in many other music projects. He was part of the band for the 2006 Oxfam charity album, The Cake Sale. He has also recorded several cover songs. These include "Cry Me a River" by Justin Timberlake. He also covered "Everytime" by Britney Spears.
In 2009, Glen even voiced a character on The Simpsons. He played an Irish street musician in an episode. In 2011, he toured with Eddie Vedder. Eddie Vedder is the lead singer of the band Pearl Jam. Glen also played a solo concert at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
Glen plays several guitars. One of his most famous guitars is a very old and worn Takamine NP15 acoustic guitar. It even has a large hole in it! He calls this special guitar "The Horse."
Solo Albums and Film Songs
In 2012, Glen released his first solo album, Rhythm and Repose. One of his songs, "This Gift," was featured in the movie The Odd Life of Timothy Green. He also sang "Take the Heartland" for the soundtrack of the 2012 film The Hunger Games. Another song he wrote, "Come Away to the Water," was also on the soundtrack. It was covered by the band Maroon 5.
Glen appeared as himself in an episode of the TV series Parenthood. He performed his song "High Hope" from his solo album. In 2015, Glen and Lisa Hannigan recorded a song called "On Love." This song was for the movie Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet.
In 2022, Glen toured with Eddie Vedder again. In October of that year, he recorded a song called "Take Heart." This song featured Markéta Irglová and Bono. It also included Ukrainian refugees. The song was a response to the war in Ukraine. In December 2023, Glen performed "Fairytale of New York" at Shane MacGowan's funeral. He sang with Lisa O'Neill.
Musical Inspirations
Glen Hansard has shared who inspired his music. He said that in his childhood home, there were three main artists he admired: Leonard Cohen, Van Morrison, and Bob Dylan. He called them "the holy trinity." Bob Dylan was especially important to him.
Glen and The Frames even toured as the opening act for Bob Dylan in Australia and New Zealand in 2007. Glen often performs songs by Van Morrison in his concerts. Two of these songs are "Into the Mystic" and "And the Healing Has Begun." These were included on a special version of the Once movie soundtrack.
Glen is also a follower of Krishna. He performed for the 80th birthday of Swami Prabhupada in London. He stayed at a manor given to the Hare Krishna movement by The Beatles' George Harrison. In July 2013, he sang with Bruce Springsteen in Ireland. In July 2015, he performed "Raglan Road" with Ed Sheeran in Dublin.
Personal Life
Glen Hansard lives in Helsinki, Finland. He is married to poet Maire Saaritsa. They have one child, a boy named Christy, who was born in October 2022.
In 2008, Glen took a four-week filmmaking workshop. It was at the New York Film Academy.
Awards and Nominations
Glen Hansard has won several awards for his music. Here are some of them:
| Year | Ceremony | Category | Work | Result | Notes |
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| 2007 | 80th Academy Awards | Best Original Song | "Falling Slowly" from Once | Won | With Markéta Irglová |
| 2013 | 55th Grammy Awards | Best Musical Theater Album | Once (musical) | Won | With Markéta Irglová |
| 2016 | 58th Grammy Awards | Best Folk Album | Didn't He Ramble | Nominated |
Discography
Solo Albums
- Rhythm and Repose (2012)
- Didn't He Ramble (2015)
- Between Two Shores (2018)
- This Wild Willing (2019)
- All That Was East Is West of Me Now (2023)
Solo Singles and EPs
- This Gift (2012)
- High Hope (2012)
- Bird of Sorrow (2012)
- Love Don't Leave Me Waiting (2012)
- Drive All Night EP (2013)
- It Was Triumph We Once Proposed...Songs of Jason Molina EP (2015)
- Winning Streak (2015)
- Lowly Deserter (2015)
- A Season on the Line EP (2016)
- Cold Comfort (2020)
The Frames Albums
- Another Love Song (1991)
- Fitzcarraldo (1995)
- Dance the Devil (1999)
- For the Birds (2001)
- Breadcrumb Trail (2002)
- Burn the Maps (2004)
- The Cost (2006)
- Longitude (2015)
The Swell Season Albums
- The Swell Season (2006)
- Once: Music from the Motion Picture (2007)
- Strict Joy (2009)
Films and Television Appearances
- 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 (2010 TV series) (2012 episode: "Trouble in Candyland")
- In the Deep Shade (2013 documentary, with The Frames)
- Late Show with David Letterman (2013, Musical guest)
- Live on Letterman (Concert webcast, 2013)
- The Last Man on Earth (TV series) (2016 episode "Falling Slowly")
- Cyrano (2021, Guard #1)
- Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2023, Musical Guest)
Images for kids
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Glen Hansard performing live in Dublin, 2006
See also
In Spanish: Glen Hansard para niños
- The Stars Are Underground – a film about the Dublin music scene (1996)
