5 Movies To Watch In Honor Of The Late Glen Hansard

5 Movies To Watch In Honor Of The Late Glen Hansard

Heartbreaking news about musician-turned-actor Glen Hansard: This morning, AP News reported that management for Hansard confirmed the artist had died following a tragic motorcycle accident near Dublin, Ireland. According to Irish Police, the crash occurred around 4:30 a.m. Wednesday morning. He was only 56.

Hansard gained a following for being a member of The Frames, the adored Irish rock band. Hansard would go on to star in the film The Commitments and even won an Academy Award for his song that accompanied the film Once, which he also starred in.

Many have begun to give touching tributes for Hansard, including Rachel Zegler. On Instagram, Zegler posted a series of photos featuring her and Hansard performing together with the caption, “oh i will love you forever. rest now, my friend.” Hansard’s impact on fellow actors and musicians is undeniable.

As fans across the world mourn the talented artist, Hansard’s acting and contribution to film will live on forever. Here are five films to watch to honor Hansard’s legacy.

  1. The Commitments 1991
    20th Century Fox

    The Commitments is the perfect film for music lovers. The story follows a music manager who puts together a band comprised of teens from Dublin. In the film, Hansard plays the role of Outspan Foster who is the lead guitarist of the band. His character often tries to be the glue of the group before tensions between the members reach a boiling point. It not only displays Hansard’s musical skills but establishes him as an actor who thrives in both comedy and drama.

  2. ONCE, Glen Hansard, 2006
    Photo: ©Fox Searchlight/Courtesy Everett Collection

    Arguably his most recognizable role, Once is an unforgettable indie gem. The film was released in 2006 and is one of the most creative musicals ever produced. Hansard plays an aspiring musician on the streets of Dublin who meets a fellow musician (Markéta Irglová). Together, the two team up to perform together and end up falling in love with each other. Hansard’s performance was critically-acclaimed, and his original song with Irglová “Falling Slowly” won the 2008 Oscar for Best Original Song.

  3. The Swell Season
    Chris Dapkins/Seventh Art Releasing/Courtesy Everett Collection

    Following the success of Once, Hansard and Irglová produced a black and white documentary about their lives. The film is a vulnerable look at the effect of fame and success, and how those can factor into a relationship. The documentary was filmed over the course of three years and is an intimate portrait of the two artists embarking on a tour, trying to process and move on from the whirlwind of Once. This film is hard to find on a streamer, but you can purchase the DVD on Amazon Prime. Check it out if you’re able to watch.

  4. CYRANO, Peter Dinklage as Cyrano,
    Photo: ©MGM/Courtesy Everett Collection

    Cyrano was Hansard’s last acting credit. Directed by Joe Wright, the film adapts the legendary play Cyrano de Bergerac. The epic musical is about the poet Cyrano who starts to write love letters to Roxanne, the woman of his dreams. Hansard has a small roll as a guard, but we get to hear his beautiful singing voice! It’s your classic will-they-wont-they love story, but it’s the A-list talent in front and behind the camera makes it a pleasant watch.

  5. Sing Street
    Photo: Everett Collection

    While Hansard doesn’t appear on-screen in Sing Street, he was involved in creating the music in the film, which was directed by Once director and Hansard’s former bandmate John Carney. Sing Street is a look at Conor who forms a band during Dublin’s 1980s recession to impress the girl he has a crush on. Hansard contributed to the film as a composer to many tracks on the soundtrack, and also co-wrote “Go Now” with Adam Levin, the song that plays over the credits.

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