The independent musical that introduced the Oscar-winning song “Falling Slowly” is Once.
John Carney’s 2007 Irish film follows an unnamed Dublin street musician, played by Glen Hansard, and an immigrant pianist, played by Markéta Irglová. The two meet, collaborate on songs, and record an album while their friendship develops into something more complicated.
“Falling Slowly,” written and performed by Hansard and Irglová, became the film’s signature song and won the Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 80th Academy Awards in 2008. The performers also shared the Oscar, making the win unusual because both were primarily musicians rather than established film actors.
A common mix-up is The Commitments, another Irish music film featuring Hansard in a small role. The Commitments is associated with soul covers, while Once is the film connected to “Falling Slowly.” Once later inspired a successful stage musical featuring its songs.