Irish singer-songwriter Glen Hansard, who won an Academy Award for the 2007 film Once, died in a motorcycle crash on the outskirts of Dublin early Wednesday, his management said. He was 56.ATC Management told broadcaster RTE Han sard's family was deeply shocked and heartbroken by his death.Irish police said a man in his 50s died in single vehicle motorcycle crash in Lucan on the western outskirts of the Irish capital before 4:30 a.m. on Wednesday. The man, who they did not name, was treated at the scene but was pronounced dead a short time later.Hansard combined acting and a musical career. He played a member of a Dublin soul band in the hit 1991 movie The Commitments and won an Oscar in 2008 for the song Falling Slowly from the indie musical Once, in which he starred alongside Markta Irglov.He was long-serving front man for rock band The Frames, half of rock duo The Swell Season and released solo albums including Didnt He Ramble, which was nominated for a Grammy for Best Folk Album in 2016.Hansard started out as a busker on the streets of Dublin, and he became famous for leading the Christmas Eve charity busk outside Dublin's Gaiety Theatre, where members of the public gathered to see famous Irish musicians perform.Former Irish president Michael D. Higgins said Hansard was a wonderful musician and performer who had a gift for storytelling who also placed great emphasis throughout his life to the importance of tackling the problems of society, including regular work in drawing attention to the problem of homelessness.At the funeral of The Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan in 2023, Hansard performed a rousing version of The Pogues' song Fairytale Of New York with Irish singer Lisa ONeill that had the congregation dancing in the aisles of the church.Irish Prime Minister Michel Martin said he was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Glen Hansard.A talented musician and actor who made a significant contribution to Irelands cultural landscape over many years, Martin posted on X.Hansard is survived by his wife, Maire Saaritsa, and their 3-year-old son, Christy. ...read more read less