Glen Hansard
Glen Hansard
Glen Hansard is an Irish songwriter, actor, vocalist and guitarist for Irish group The Frames, and one half of folk rock duo The Swell Season. He is also known for his acting, having appeared in the BAFTA-winning film The Commitments, as well as starring in the film Once, which earned him a number of major awards, including an Academy Award for Best Song...
NationalityIrish
ProfessionFolk Singer
Date of Birth21 April 1970
CountryIreland
music song rest-of-your-life
A song is like a saddle: you ride it for a while, and if it's the right kind of song you can sing it for the rest of your life.
live-life writing thinking
I think inside every rock journalist, there's somebody who wishes they had the courage to live the life that they're not, and that they're writing about. But at the same time, inside every songwriter, I guess there's a wish for happiness.
travel long nervous
Sometimes travelling really intensely for a long time is like having a continuous nervous breakdown.
reading past cities
Everything about singing, I learned from busking. Everything I learned about songwriting, I learned from busking. Busking, you learn people, you learn about reading people. You learn about reading the atmosphere of the street. If you stand still in any city long enough, you see everyone pass you by. It's almost like you get to know personality types, just by watching people walk past. You get a sense for things.
singing busking songwriting
Well, everything about singing, I learned from busking. Everything I learned about songwriting, I learned from busking.
dad want quiet
My dad was quiet, angry, shut down. So my thing is: I express everything that's there. I want to get it all out.
relaxation important facts
I've realized, you know, having turned 40, that rest is just as important as work. In fact, it's equally as important.
doors acting
I won't say I've closed the door on acting.
morning coffee writing
The muse holds no appointments. You can never call on it. I don't understand people who get up at 9 o'clock in the morning, put on the coffee and sit down to write.
solo
And I've always loved playing solo.
conflict
Do I create conflicts for myself? Sure I do.
blessed way able
I guess in a way I just feel blessed to be able to make music.
kids journey people
You know, when I was a kid waiting on the bus, I remember that was when I imagined my life. I imagined everything that I was gonna be when I grew up and I imagined all of these amazing journeys and amazing people Id meet. Of course, all of it has kind of come to fruition.
gratitude team grateful
Sometimes you give birth to something or you're part of a team that gives birth to an idea, and it grows and has a whole life of its own, and you feel grateful. It's just so humbling.