Glen Hansard, the Irish singer-songwriter and frontman of the band the Frames, died in a motorcycle accident on Wednesday in Dublin. He was 56. Hansard’s passing was confirmed by his management company, ATC Management.

The crash occurred shortly before 4:30 a.m. in the Lucan area of West Dublin, according to an Irish police statement appealing for witnesses. The statement described the victim as a motorcyclist in his 50s who was treated at the scene but pronounced dead shortly after. Irish media later identified the man as Hansard.

Born in Dublin on April 21, 1970, Hansard rose to prominence in the Irish music scene after forming the Frames in 1990. The band achieved considerable success with multiple hit albums in Ireland. Hansard gained international recognition after starring in the 2007 film Once, which follows the story of an Irish street musician and a Czech pianist. The film’s song “Falling Slowly,” co-written by Hansard and co-star Marketa Irglova, won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2008.

Once was filmed on a modest budget over 17 days and became a Sundance Film Festival hit before inspiring a Tony Award-winning Broadway musical adaptation. Hansard initially was hesitant about the transition to stage but eventually supported the production.

Hansard began his career as a street performer in Dublin and had a small role in the 1991 film The Commitments. His music drew from influences such as Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, and Van Morrison. Over his career, he released several albums as a solo artist, including 2015’s Didn’t He Ramble, which received a Grammy nomination.

In addition to his musical achievements, Hansard was known for his activism on homelessness and housing issues in Ireland, frequently performing at charity events like the annual Christmas Eve Busk in Dublin.

Hansard is survived by his wife, Maire Saarita; his son, Christy; and three brothers. He had been scheduled to tour Europe to perform material from two albums released earlier this year. He also performed as part of the Swell Season, a folk duo formed with Irglova.

Ireland’s Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, expressed his condolences on social media, praising Hansard as a talented musician and actor who made a significant contribution to Ireland’s cultural landscape.