Oscar winner Glen Hansard, known for his roles in The Commitments and his music with The Frames, died in a motorcycle crash in Dublin on Wednesday morning. The 56-year-old was involved in a single-vehicle accident at the Strawberry Beds in Lucan, which occurred before 4:30 AM.

According to a brief statement from the Garda, the incident took place on Lower Road, between Tinkers Hill and Rugged Lane. The motorcyclist, described as a man in his 50s, was treated at the scene but was pronounced dead shortly after. The Garda confirmed that the crash did not involve any other vehicles, and while a criminal investigation is not warranted, an inquiry will be conducted to determine the cause of the accident.

Hansard had spent the previous evening at the Wren's Nest pub, where he often attended traditional music sessions. This week's session was a celebration of the Mayo footballers' victory in the All-Ireland final. He was traveling westward on Lower Road when the crash occurred, approximately 2-3 kilometers from the pub.

His agents, ATC Management, issued a heartfelt statement confirming his death: "With broken hearts we announce the passing of Glen Hansard in the early hours of this morning. 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."

Hansard was a married father of one, splitting his time between Kildare and Helsinki, where his wife, poet Maire Saaritsa, is from. He gained fame for his role as Outspan Foster in The Commitments and later won an Academy Award in 2008 for the song "Falling Slowly," which he co-wrote with Markéta Irglová for the film Once.

Born in Ballymun, north Dublin, Hansard began performing with The Frames in his teenage years during the 1980s. He was well-regarded for his storytelling ability and musical talent, leaving a significant impact on both the film and music industries.

The Gardaí are appealing to anyone who witnessed the crash or has relevant camera footage to come forward. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Lucan Garda station or the Garda Confidential Line.