In 2006, Glen Hansard (frontman of the Irish band The Frames) collaborated with Czech singer and multi-instrumentalist Markéta Irglová to record and release the album The Swell Season. In 2007, the album was re-released with the duo being re-named The Swell Season. Subsequent releases by the duo continue as The Swell Season Violinist Marja Tuhkanen and the cellist Bertrand Galen (both fresh from performing with the Irish band Interference) also collaborated on the album. It was released on April 21st, 2006 (coinciding with Hansard's 36th birthday). ...show more

In 2006, Glen Hansard (frontman of the Irish band The Frames) collaborated with Czech singer and multi-instrumentalist Markéta Irglová to record and release the album The Swell Season. In 2007, the album was re-released with the duo being re-named The Swell Season. Subsequent releases by the duo continue as The Swell Season Violinist Marja Tuhkanen and the cellist Bertrand Galen (both fresh from performing with the Irish band Interference) also collaborated on the album. It was released on April 21st, 2006 (coinciding with Hansard's 36th birthday).

Hansard and Marketa starred together in the film 'Once' by writer/director John Carney (a former bass player of The Frames). Many songs of the album The Swell Season were used in this film, which won the World Cinema Audience Award at Sundance 2007. Falling Slowly won the 2008 Academy Award for Best Original Song. In Once, according to the Falling Slowly Songfacts, Hansard played an Irish busker who has a romantic relationship with Irglova's Czech flower seller.

Bob Dylan was so taken by the film that he asked Hansard and Irglova to be the opening act on his world tour. For more info: http://www.myspace.com/oncethemovie Note on tagging tracks: For the purists out there... Please tag tracks with "The Swell Season" unless it's a live performance featuring only Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová - in which case use "Glen Hansard & Markéta Irglová").. ...show less