Oscar-winning singer-songwriter Glen Hansard dies at 56
Singer-songwriter Glen Hansard, an Oscar winner for best original song, died Wednesday morning, his management confirmed to ABC News.
"We are still dealing with the shock of it all, so we kindly ask that the privacy of Glen's family, colleagues and friends is respected at this difficult time," ATC Management said in a statement Wednesday.
Hansard, 56, died in a motorcycle crash in his native Dublin, Ireland, according to The Associated Press.
The Gardaí -- the Irish police force -- issued a news release Wednesday confirming that a motorcyclist, described as a "man in his 50s," died following a single-vehicle crash around 4:30 a.m. local time in Dublin.
Gardaí have not yet named Hansard as the victim. They are asking for any witnesses to come forward.
Hansard won an Oscar in 2008 for the song "Falling Slowly" from the film "Once." He starred in the film -- which tells the story of two struggling musicians who fall in love in Dublin -- alongside Markéta Irglová, who was his bandmate in the folk duo Swell Season.
"We made this film two years ago. We shot on two handycams. It took us three weeks to make ... we never thought we'd come into a room like this and be in front of you people. It's been an amazing thing," Hansard said in his Oscars acceptance speech, which he ended by saying, "Make art. Make art."
"Once" went onto become a Broadway show, winning eight Tony Awards in 2012, including best music.
Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin, the country's prime minister, paid tribute to Hansard Wednesday.
"Deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Glen Hansard. A talented musician and actor who made a significant contribution to Ireland's cultural landscape over many years," he wrote on social media. "My sincere sympathies to his family, friends, and fans," he wrote.
