Irish singer-songwriter Glen Hansard and Czech musician Markéta Irglová reunited to release their first album as The Swell Season in sixteen years, titled Forward, according to recent interviews and release announcements. The duo, whose international prominence surged following their Academy Award-winning work on the independent film Once, have continued collaborative and solo paths deeply connected to both Ireland and the Czech Republic.
The Origins of The Swell Season and the Making of Once
Glen Hansard, born in Dublin in April 1970, left school at age 13 to street-perform and later joined his uncle’s band playing Irish folk tunes, according to historical artist profiles. By age 14, he was writing songs, and at 18, he signed a recording contract with Island Records after a producer heard a cassette recording of his music, as Hansard recounted. In his twenties, he formed the band The Frames, touring extensively across Ireland and Europe. During a 2001 performance as the headline act at the Valašský špalíček festival in Valašské Meziříčí, Hansard met Markéta Irglová, the teenage daughter of a local newspaper publisher, according to published interviews. The pair subsequently embarked on a tour of Europe together before eventually forming a romantic relationship. In 2006, they starred in the musical film Once, for which Hansard composed the music. The film gained international acclaim after winning the audience award at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival, and in 2008, Hansard and Irglová accepted the Oscar for Best Original Song for “Falling Slowly.” Their romantic relationship ended shortly after the Academy Awards ceremony.
Career Trajectories and Solo Projects
Following their initial success, both artists pursued extensive independent musical endeavors. Hansard established a robust solo career, earning a Grammy nomination for Best Folk Album for his 2015 release Didn’t He Ramble, according to recording industry records. He has maintained a frequent touring schedule in the Czech Republic, playing sold-out shows at venues such as the Prague Castle riding school terrace, the Folkové prázdniny festival in Náměšť nad Oslavou, the monastery courtyard in Milevsko, and serving as a featured performer at the Concert for the Future on Wenceslas Square in Prague in 2021, and performing in the Lucerna Great Hall and at the Slunovrat festival, according to event schedules. Meanwhile, Irglová relocated to Iceland, where she pursued her own songwriting and recording projects.
The 2023 Reunion and Forward Album Release
Under the revived moniker The Swell Season, Hansard and Irglová released their comeback album Forward, marking their first joint record in sixteen years, according to promotional materials. Discussing the collaborative dynamic for the new release, Irglová noted a shift toward equal partnership. “The biggest change from my perspective is that we are more equal partners now,” Irglová stated, adding that her growth as a vocalist, lyricist, and composer shaped the creative process. The duo planned live dates in support of the project, including an appearance at the Soundtrack Poděbrady festival in August, according to festival organizers.
Did you know?
Glen Hansard dropped out of school at age 13 to earn a living playing music on the streets of Dublin before signing with Island Records as a teenager.
Frequently Asked Questions
What film made Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová famous?
The independent musical film Once (2006) brought the duo international fame and earned them an Academy Award for Best Original Song.
Which award did Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová win at the Oscars?
They won the Oscar for Best Original Song in 2008 for their track “Falling Slowly” from the film Once, according to Academy Award records.
What is the name of The Swell Season’s reunion album?
The duo released their comeback album titled Forward, their first full-length collaboration in sixteen years, according to release announcements.
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