Glen Hansard

About Glen Hansard

Glen Hansard is an Irish singer-songwriter and musician known for his emotive voice and heartfelt storytelling across genres including folk, rock, folk rock, alternative rock, and indie rock. He is the frontman of the Irish rock band The Frames, which he formed in 1990, and is also one half of the folk rock duo The Swell Season. Hansard achieved widespread recognition for his starring role in the 2007 film *Once*, for which he and co-star Markéta Irglová won an Academy Award for Best Original Song for "Falling Slowly." In his latest endeavors, Hansard released his fifth solo album, "All That Was East Is West Of Me Now," on October 20, 2023. This album is noted for being his most rock-oriented record since The Frames' 2004 album, *Burn The Maps*. Additionally, he reunited with Markéta Irglová to release a new album as The Swell Season, titled "Forward," on June 13, 2025, marking their first joint album in 16 years. Hansard is also scheduled for a European solo tour in April, May, and July 2026, with dates across multiple countries. Personally, he and his partner, poet Maire Saaritsa, welcomed their son, Christy, in October 2022, and this significant life event has influenced Hansard's outlook, including his decision to stop drinking.