IRISH singer-songwriter Glen Hansard has died aged 56 in a motorcycle crash.
The former Frames frontman died in Dublin on Wednesday morning, Hansard's agency confirmed.
Emergency services attended an incident in Dublin shortly before 4.30am following reports of a single-vehicle collision.
ATC Management, who represent Hansard, released a statement, saying: "Glen’s family is deeply shocked and heartbroken by this tragic loss and respectfully requests privacy at this extremely difficult time,”
The statement adds: “The family is grateful for the support they have received and wishes to thank the emergency services who attended the scene.
"As this matter remains the subject of an active Garda investigation, no further comment will be made at this time.”
The musician rose to international fame after starring in the 2007 drama Once, from which he won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for Falling Slowly, which he wrote and performed in the movie.
His most recent album, Don+tSettle - Transmissions East & West was released last month.
He was born in Ballymun, Dublin, in 1970 and began his career busking on the streets of the Irish capital as a teenager. He formed The Frames in 1990 and first came to wider attention when he starred in Alan Parker’s The Commitments as guitarist Outspan Foster.
In 2022, he announced the birth of his son, Christy, with his partner, Finnish poet Maire Saaritsa.
Paying tribute, The Waterboys’ Mike Scott said: “Just heard that Glen Hansard has died. Travel on well, Buddy. You made your dreams come true. I’m so sorry that he leaves his wife and 3-year-old child.”
Other artists, including Joni Mitchell and Bruce Springsteen, were also admirers of the Irish singer-songwriter, with the latter performing alongside Hansard on a cover of Drive All Night.
He also performed Fairytale Of New York alongside Lisa O’Neill at Shane MacGowan’s funeral in December 2023.
