Oscar-winning songwriter Glen Hansard killed in crash was the lead singer of The Frames and an Oscar-winning songwriter Oscar-winning Irish musician Glen Hansard has died in a motorbike crash in Dublin.The 56-year-old, who shot to prominence when he was cast in 1991 musical comedy film The Commitments, was long-time frontman of acclaimed rock band The Frames.Tributes have been paid across world of music from the likes of Ed Sheeran and Bruce Springsteen, who said he was "heartbroken". Hansard had a storied career in music across more than three decades, including winning the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2008 with Marketa Irglova, which featured in the low-budget musical romance film Once. He and Irglova released three albums as The Swell Season, while Hansard also encountered success as a solo artist with 2016 album Didn't He Ramble being nominated for a Grammy in 2016.The single-vehicle crash happened on Lower Road in Lucan, west of Dublin, and was reported to emergency services shortly before 04:30 local time. d in the early hours of WednesdayIn a statement, ATC Management who represented the musician, said his family was "deeply shocked and heartbroken"."The family is grateful for the support they have received and wishes to thank the emergency services who attended the scene."Hansard, the father of a three-year-old boy, has also been hailed by charities for his work in raising money for the homeless.In 2010, he started an annual Christmas Eve busk in Dublin City Centre, which attracted high-profile musicians including Bono, Sinéad O'Connor and Shane McGowan.The Simon Community, a charity in the UK and Ireland which helps homeless people, said it was "devastated" by his death."Glen's talents will indeed be his legacy but so too will his commitment to social justice.
We will be forever indebted to him for the difference he made in the lives of the people we serve." rming during a Christmas Eve busk in 2017Hansard's friend, artist Colin Davidson, said the annual Christmas Eve busk had become "an international Irish institution in its own right". He said it was "Glen's way of getting him and his friends to, not just shine a light on the problem of homelessness, but to actually do something about it financially". Davidson told the BBC's Evening Extra programme that he is "quite broken" by the news of his death and is finding it "pretty difficult to find the words" for how he feels.
"He was unique... he was such an incredibly kind, loyal, warm human being who I am proud to call a friend," Davidson said. Bruce Springsteen and Ed Sheeran among Glen Hansard tributesBruce Springsteen paid tribute to Hansard in a post on Instagram, saying: "Here on E Street, we are heartbroken over the death of Glen Hansard." Springsteen said he met Hansard in Ireland "many years ago and he was always nothing but a great musician, a good friend and a generous and gracious man". "Always positive, smiling and ready to sing.
God bless him and his loved ones."Springsteen brought Hansard out for a duet, singing Drive All Night, at a concert in Kilkenny in 2013.Ed Sheeran said he was heartbroken to hear the news."He was such an incredible human, an incredible force," he said on Instagram."I am grateful for the times we shared together, sending so much love to his family."U2 frontman Bono also paid tribute to Hansard. In a post on the band's Instagram, Bono said he was the "most musical and mischievous archangel of Ballymun" with "no airs, plenty of graces". "For me, he will always be everywhere I see a coin spinning into an open guitar case," he said. and Markéta Irglova hold their Oscars for the song Falling Slowly at the 80th annual Academy AwardsFilm and Broadway star Rachel Zegler, who duetted with Hansard at a show in New York in April, paid tribute on Instagram, writing: "Oh I will love you forever.", externalAndrew Strong, who starred in The Commitments with Hansard, posted on Facebook, external: "I'm devastated to hear the sad news Glen Hansard has passed away.
"It's a truly senseless, tragic loss. My condolences to his family and friends and everyone who loved his music. Rest in peace, brother."Actor Chris O'Dowd posted on Instagram, external: "Can't believe Glen has left the world so terribly early."Anyone who makes use of music knows the feeling of being taken away.
And he leaves it with us. Huge love to Maire and little Christy and all those who loved him."Waterboys singer Mike Scott tweeted, external: "Travel on well, Buddy. You made your dreams come true.
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