Glen Hansard

Glen Hansard is currently enjoying the critical acclaim being accorded The Swell Season’s new CD Strict Joy and their nationwide tour, of which Hot Press said, “For nigh on two hours, the impeccable Hansard and company enthral the full house.” So there should be lots to talk about during his Music Show interview (and maybe a tune or two, eh, Glen?). Long before he scooped an Oscar for the song ‘Falling Slowly’ from the film Once, Hansard had earned himself an irrefutable reputation for guts and determination. A Dubliner, he left school at 13. Set on becoming a singer, he started busking before setting up The Frames. Aged 17 he paid for a demo with a loan from Mum, and got signed by Island Records who released one album. After switching labels, The Frames’ 1995 album Fitzcarraldo was a classic, Hansard’s poetic lyrics and emotive vocals hitting the spot, especially on ‘Revelate’. That song’s video of CCTV footage was nominated for an MTV Europe award. After another album the band set up their own Plateau Records on which they’ve released six albums. These include the Hansard-Marketa Irglova debut album The Swell Season which features ‘Falling Slowly’.