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Oscar-winning songwriter Glen Hansard killed in crash

Niall GlynnBBC News NI
News imageGetty Images Glen Hansard has short curly reddish/brown/grey hair and a greyr beard and is singing with two hands on the microphone and his eyes closedGetty Images
Glen Hansard 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.

Hansard, 56, was the frontman for rock group The Frames and also featured in The Commitments.

He won an Academy Award for Best Original Song for Falling Slowly in 2008 which he wrote for the low-budget film Once.

Hansard was born in Dublin in 1970 and busked on its streets before landing the role of Outspan Foster in The Commitments.

Police are appealing for witnesses following the single-vehicle crash, which happened on Lower Road in Lucan, west of Dublin.

It was reported to the emergency services shortly before 04:30 local time.

Hansard was also one half of the rock duo The Swell Season, and released solo albums including Didn't He Ramble, which was nominated for a Grammy for Best Folk Album in 2016.

He was the father of a three-year-old boy.

News imagePA Media Police officers at the scene of the fatal crash in Dublin. Two of the officers are on motorbikes and a Garda car is also visible as are two blue Garda signsPA Media
The crash happened in the early hours of Wednesday

Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Micheál Martin tweeted that he was "deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Glen Hansard.

He described him as a "talented musician and actor who made a significant contribution to Ireland's cultural landscape over many years.

"My sincere sympathies to his family, friends, and fans."

'Deeply shocked'

In a statement, ATC Management, which represented Hansard, said: "With broken hearts we announce the passing of Glen Hansard who passed away, in the early hours of this morning, following a road traffic accident in Dublin.

"Glen's family is deeply shocked and heartbroken by this tragic loss and respectfully requests privacy at this extremely difficult time.

"The family is grateful for the support they have received and wishes to thank the emergency services who attended the scene."

Waterboys singer Mike Scott tweeted: "Travel on well, Buddy. You made your dreams come true.

"I'm so sorry that he leaves his wife and 3-year-old child."

News imageGetty Images Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglova hold their Oscars. Hansard has short red hair and stubble and is wearing a suit jacket and open-necked shirt. Irglova is wearing a black dress and has shoulder-length reddish/brown hairGetty Images
Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglova hold their Oscars for the song Falling Slowly at the 80th annual Academy Awards

Hansard starred opposite Czech musician Markéta Irglová in 2007's Once.

The pair played two musicians who meet in Dublin and form a creative partnership, performing songs they write together as The Swell Season.

The film won the World Cinema Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival.

A Broadway adaptation of the film, featuring Hansard and Irglová's songs, later won eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical.