The Duo Behind ‘Once’ Reunites For A Very Special Night In Los Angeles

You get a different type of Glen Hansard depending on where and how you see him.

There’s Festival Glen, who earnestly strums on sweaty infields for audiences who may or may not know his songs like “High Hope” and “Low Rising.”

There’s Tiny Venue Glen, where spellbound fans—going back to his days with the indie band The Frames (or maybe his minor role in The Commitments)—can’t believe their luck in watching Glen pluck up close.

I’ve seen Glen in a grand concert hall with a full philharmonic. I’ve watched him solo in a vintage theater under a shabby antique lamp and without a backing band. I’ve seen him perform on a soccer pitch in Italy with his good friend Eddie Vedder. I even saw him sing for Joni Mitchell.

Hansard’s towering vocals and deep connection with the crowd never disappoint. He is instantly enchanting and grabs your attention even if you’ve never heard him play. You can see why he was so successful busking on the streets of Dublin all those years ago.

But over the past decade or so, something has been… missing in Hansard’s live shows, and that something was Marketa Irglová. The duo behind the 2007 film “Once” (which won an Academy Award for Best Original Song, and spawned a Tony-winning Broadway musical) were a touring sensation after the film released. A 2009 album with their band The Swell Season followed but eventually the professional and (briefly, romantic) partnership split up, and Hansard and Irglová went their solo ways.

They reunited for a short tour in 2022 and were back again this year for a set of dates that wrapped last night with an emotional and joyful sold-out performance at The Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles.

Playing their first new songs together in more than ten years, and bringing a few special guests to the stage—including Eddie Vedder’s daughter, Olivia, for a song; and Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith (who literally almost broke the drum kit in a hilariously raucous version of AC/DC’s “Gimme a Bullet”)—it was a night loaded with heart, humor and gratitude for the ongoing gifts of Hansard and Irglová’s musical collaboration.

Time may have added gray to Hansard’s beard but it has only strengthened the music the duo plays together. Both musicians are at the peak of their vocal powers and both seemed more grounded and relaxed than ever. They both talked about their deep appreciation for life, and their awareness for how quickly the years are passing. In “Factory Street Bells,” Hansard sings about his new life in Helsinki with a baby boy and new wife and a sense that nothing lasts forever. But you can pick almost any song of the night and feel that sentiment. Life goes fast, seasons change, musical moments like these come and go, so you better enjoy them while it’s here.

To quote a line from Hansard and Irglová’s most famous and most appreciated song, “Falling Slowly.” “Take this sinking boat and point it home. We’ve still got time.”

We do. For now.