Thursday, July 30, 2026

Oscar-winning Irish musician Glen Hansard dies at 56 after motorcycle crash

Hansard died after a motorcycle crash in the early hours of Wednesday on the outskirts of Dublin, Ireland.

• July 30, 2026
Glen Hansard
Glen Hansard[Credit:BBC]

Irish Academy Award-winning singer Glen Hansard has died.

He was 56.

Hansard died after a motorcycle crash in the early hours of  Wednesday on the outskirts of Dublin, Ireland.

His management confirmed his death after he was involved in a single-vehicle motorcycle crash near Lucan, west of the Irish capital. Authorities treated him at the scene, but he was later pronounced dead from his injuries.

Hansard was born in 1970, and before gaining fame, he performed as a street musician in Dublin.

He later formed the Irish rock band The Frames in 1990 and went on to co-found the folk duo The Swell Season with Irglová. He also released several solo albums during his career and appeared in the 1991 musical film The Commitments.

In 2007, his breakthrough came with the musical drama Once, alongside Czech singer Markéta Irglová. He won the Oscar with Markéta Irglová for Best Original Song, Falling Slowly, in 2008.

Hansard was also known for his humanitarian work, including organising an annual Christmas Eve busking event in Dublin to raise money for charities that support homeless people.

Hansard is survived by his wife, Maire Saaritsa, and their son.

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Ngizwe Mchunu

Africa

South Africans can’t march forever, says anti-migrant campaigner Mchunu, hints at economic collapse

The anti-migrant activist highlighted that South Africans have staged over 1,000 marches against illegal immigrants.

Olayemi Cardoso

Economy

Nigeria should rely more on domestic capital, says CBN governor

“The era of abundant liquidity, chasing returns regardless of risk, is over. Investors now have more choices and less tolerance for uncertainty,” said Mr Cardoso.

United States President Donald Trump

Abuja

U.S. discontinues routine visa services in Abuja, 24 other African cities

The U.S. government says routine visa services in Abuja and 24 other African cities will end on August 1.

Central African Republic violence

Africa

UN Security Council renews sanctions against Central African Republic entities

The Security Council on Wednesday extended for a year the sanctions against non-state armed groups and other individuals undermining peace in the Central African Republic.

Okonjo-Iweala with Tinubu

Economy

Okonjo-Iweala tells Tinubu to borrow cautiously, reforms should create jobs for Nigerians

“Nigeria needs to continue the work on overall macroeconomic reforms with a careful approach to fiscal issues, contracting of debt and debt management,” the WTO chief stated.

TETFund

Education

Tertiary institutions with abandoned projects barred from 2027 funding: TETFund

“The board of trustees has taken a final stand on the issue of delay in completion of approved projects in all its beneficiary institutions,” said TETFund.