Glen Hansard won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2008 for “Falling Slowly,” a duet he wrote and performed with Markéta Irglová for the tiny Irish film Once.
Quick Facts About “Falling Slowly”
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Songwriters | Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová |
| Film | Once (2007) |
| Award | Academy Award for Best Original Song, 80th Oscars |
| Ceremony date | February 24, 2008 |
| Film budget | Around $150,000 |
| Worldwide box office | About $23 million |
How the Film Once Came Together
Once started as a small idea from writer and director John Carney, a former bandmate of Hansard’s in the Irish group The Frames. The film was shot in Dublin in just 17 days on a budget of around $150,000. It told the story of a Dublin street musician and a young Czech immigrant who bond over songwriting. Actor Cillian Murphy was first attached to play the lead role but stepped away, which opened the door for Hansard to take the part. American Songwriter
Hansard’s only acting credit before Once was a small role in the 1991 film The Commitments. He was not looking to become an actor again, but the story of Once was close to his own life as a musician, which made the role feel natural. Markéta Irglová, a classically trained Czech musician who was only a teenager at the time, had never acted before either. Carney cast her after hearing her sing and play piano. Performing Songwriter
How Falling Slowly Was Written
“Falling Slowly” was written and composed while Once was still being filmed. Carney built parts of the script around songs that Hansard and Irglová had already written together, and “Falling Slowly” became the emotional center of the story. In the film, the two characters play the song for the first time inside a Dublin music shop, with Hansard on guitar and Irglová on piano. Oscars Wiki
The song first appeared on record before the film reached most audiences. It was released as part of Hansard and Irglová’s duo project, The Swell Season, and later included on the official Once soundtrack in 2007. The pair performed the song live together at small venues across Europe in the two years before the film brought it wider attention. Oscars Wiki
From Sundance to the Oscars
Once premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2007, where it won the Audience Award. That early reaction helped Fox Searchlight Pictures pick up the film for release in the United States. The movie opened in just two American theaters in May 2007 and slowly expanded as word of mouth grew. By the end of its run, Once had earned more than $23 million worldwide, a huge return on its small budget. MovieMaker
The film’s success carried “Falling Slowly” all the way to the 80th Academy Awards on February 24, 2008. The song was nominated for Best Original Song, competing against tracks written for much bigger studio productions. Many people did not expect a song from a low-budget independent film to win. Once: A Case Study
The Night They Won the Oscar
Hansard and Irglová won the Academy Award for Best Original Song, presented by actor John Travolta. Hansard’s reaction on stage became one of the memorable moments of that year’s ceremony. He looked out at the audience and said, “What are we doing here? This is mad.” GMA News Online
During the same broadcast, Irglová was almost cut off before she could speak. The show cut to commercial before she got a chance to give her acceptance speech. Host Jon Stewart brought her back on air afterward so she could finish her thoughts. She used the moment to say the song was written from a place of hope, and that hope connects everyone regardless of where they come from. Wikipedia
Awards and Recognition Beyond the Oscar
The win for “Falling Slowly” was not the only honor connected to Once. The film had already picked up the Independent Spirit Award for Best Foreign Film, and the soundtrack received a Grammy nomination. Years later, Once was adapted into a Broadway musical, which went on to win eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical. That stage success also brought Hansard a Grammy Award. Variety
Why the Story Still Matters
The story behind “Falling Slowly” is often used as an example of how a small, honest film can compete with big studio productions at the highest level. Once was shot without location permits, using natural light and a tiny crew, yet it beat out songs from major Hollywood releases at the Oscars. This is part of why film schools and music writers still study the movie today. Grokipedia
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Hansard and Irglová continued performing “Falling Slowly” together for years after the Oscar win, including reunion performances decades later. The song remained closely tied to Hansard’s identity as an artist for the rest of his career, and it is still the piece of music most associated with his name. KGOU
FAQ: Glen Hansard
Q: Who is Glen Hansard?
A: Glen James Hansard, born 21 April 1970, was an Irish singer-songwriter and musician who fronted the Irish rock band The Frames since 1990. He also co-founded The Swell Season with Markéta Irglová and starred in the 2007 film Once.
Q: Did Glen Hansard win an Oscar?
Q: Is Glen Hansard still alive?
Q: What bands was Glen Hansard part of?
A: He was the frontman of The Frames, releasing six studio albums with the band, four of which charted in the top ten of the Irish Album Charts. He was also formerly of The Swell Season with Markéta Irglová.
Q: What was Glen Hansard’s most recent music project?
A: His sixth solo album, “Don+t Settle – Transmissions East & West,” was an expansive collection featuring live reinterpretations of songs from across his solo career and his work with The Frames and The Swell Season. The albums were recorded over two nights in 2025 and released earlier in 2026. He and Irglová had also reunited 16 years after Strict Joy to release another Swell Season album, “Forward,” in 2025.
