The renewed interest in entertainment news Ireland has brought one beloved music drama back into the spotlight: Once. Following the sad news of Glen Hansard’s passing, many viewers are revisiting the intimate 2006 film that became a quiet phenomenon and left a lasting mark on Irish cinema.
More than just a romance, Once is a raw, soulful story set on the streets of Dublin, powered by music, longing and fleeting connection. For audiences following Irish entertainment news and film news Ireland, it remains one of the most memorable homegrown films of the past two decades.
Where to Watch Once Right Now
If you’re catching up on entertainment news Ireland and want to stream the film, Once is currently available on Prime Video:
- Rent: €3.99
- Buy: €9.99
For fans tracking streaming news Ireland and Prime Video Ireland releases, this makes it easy to revisit an Oscar-winning favourite from home.
What Once Is About
Set in Dublin, the film follows a street musician, known simply as Guy, played by Glen Hansard, whose performances on Grafton Street catch the attention of a young immigrant woman, Girl, played by Markéta Irglová. Their connection begins with music, grows through shared ambition, and deepens as they begin writing and recording songs together.
The story unfolds with a natural, almost documentary-like simplicity. He is nursing heartbreak. She is carrying her own complicated life. Together, they create something tender and unforgettable, even as reality keeps pressing in around them.
At the centre of the film is “Falling Slowly,” the song that would go on to win the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2008. It remains one of the defining moments in Irish film news and a landmark for Irish movies on the global stage.
Why the Film Still Resonates
Among the many entertainment stories Ireland has produced over the years, Once stands apart because of its honesty. It never feels overplayed or manufactured. Instead, it captures:
- The texture of everyday Dublin life
- The emotional pull of music and missed chances
- A deeply human connection between two artists
- The understated charm that defines great Irish cinema
For readers interested in what to watch Ireland or searching for the best movies Ireland has produced, this title remains essential viewing.
A Little-Known Casting Twist
One of the more fascinating details tied to the film is that director John Carney had originally considered Cillian Murphy for the lead role. Reports around the production have long suggested that Murphy ultimately stepped away, with concerns ranging from the musical demands of the part to the dynamic of acting opposite a non-professional performer.
That change, however, helped shape the authenticity that audiences now associate with the film. Hansard’s presence gave Once its emotional backbone, and his chemistry with Irglová became central to its legacy.
The Lasting Legacy of Once
In the wider landscape of entertainment news Ireland, few films have combined music, romance and realism as elegantly as Once. It is a small film with a huge emotional reach, and its impact continues to be felt across pop culture Ireland, movie news Ireland and conversations around the best of modern Irish storytelling.
If you’ve never seen it, now is the moment. And if you have, this is the kind of film that rewards a second watch — especially now, when Glen Hansard’s work is being remembered with such affection.
Image Courtesy: EVOKE
Credit/Courtesy for the Article: EVOKE
