Glen Hansard, Irish Singer-Songwriter and Once Star, Dies at 56

Glen Hansard, the Irish singer-songwriter best known for fronting the Frames and the Swell Season as well as co-starring in the 2007 musical drama Once, has died, according to his management. Hansard died from injuries he suffered in a motorcycle crash in Dublin this morning. He was 56.A fixture of Ireland’s music scene for decades, Hansard was known for his rousing live performances on acoustic guitar and a voice that could travel far without a microphone. Whether busking on the streets or headlining shows at some of the world’s most prestigious venues, he brought a raw urgency to his music through raspy, strained, and emotional vocal peaks. With a music career spanning four decades, he was a key figure in his country’s music history, with Ireland’s prime minister Micheál Martin hailing him as “a talented musician and actor who made a significant contribution to Ireland’s cultural landscape over many years.”Born in Dublin on April 21, 1970, Hansard was raised in a working-class household by an alcoholic father who frequently turned to domestic violence. Hansard learned guitar after his uncle left the instrument behind after being sent to prison, and he immediately took to its expa...