The film, which later became a Broadway musical, won an Academy award for Best Original Song for 'Falling Slowly'. The musical later went on to win eight Tony awards.
After the release of 'Once' Hansard and Irglova toured as 'The Swell Season'. Having only been onstage together a handful of times over the last decade, the duo felt it was the right time to come back.
“That these songs still resonate and have been carried forward through the years is a songwriter’s dream,” Irglova told Variety. “Realising there is a new audience who have never seen us perform these songs live is even more of a blessing.”
Hansard added, “Although Marketa and I have stayed in contact and Marketa has guested on my records, and made a few of her own, it’s been a long time since we both revisited these songs together.
“The words and music have gone on to have their own lives on musical stages around the world. They don’t need us anymore, which is wonderful! But we’ll call them back in to join us for this run of dates in March. It’ll be wonderful to sing them together again.”
Hansard has been keeping busy lately, making music with his and Eddie Vedder's band The Earthlings. He is also planning on releasing new music next year.
The duo will be playing in Minneapolis, Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston, New York and Washington, D.C.
Fingers crossed for some Irish dates at some point!
