When news broke that Irish singer-songwriter Glen Hansard had died in a motorcycle crash at the age of 56, fans around the world revisited the music that made him famous—from The Frames to Once and the Oscar-winning song Falling Slowly. Tributes quickly poured in from Bruce Springsteen, Bono and fellow musicians, while many fans began searching for the people he left behind.
Here is what we know about Glen Hansard’s wife, children and estimated net worth.
Who was Glen Hansard’s wife?
Glen Hansard was married to Maire Saaritsa, a Finnish poet and writer.
Although Hansard spent much of his career in the public eye, he kept his marriage largely private. The couple welcomed their first child in October 2022 before marrying just a few months later in December 2022. They divided their time between Ireland and Helsinki, Finland, where Saaritsa is from.
Unlike Hansard’s earlier relationship with Czech musician Markéta Irglová, which developed during the filming of Once, his marriage to Saaritsa remained mostly away from the spotlight.
Friends often described Hansard’s later years as being centered on family, balancing touring with raising his young son.
Did Glen Hansard have children?
Yes.
Glen Hansard had one child, a son named Christy.
Christy was born in October 2022 and was just three years old at the time of his father’s death. Hansard rarely shared photos or personal details about his son, preferring to keep his family life private despite decades of fame.
Following his death, numerous tributes acknowledged that he is survived by both his wife and young son.
Was Markéta Irglová Glen Hansard’s wife?
No.
This remains one of the most common questions online because of the enormous success of the 2007 film Once.
Hansard and Czech musician Markéta Irglová were romantically involved during the late 2000s after starring together in the film and co-writing Falling Slowly, which won the Academy Award for Best Original Song.
However, they ended their romantic relationship around 2009 while remaining close friends and musical collaborators through The Swell Season. Hansard later married Maire Saaritsa in 2022.
What was Glen Hansard’s net worth?
Glen Hansard’s exact wealth was never publicly disclosed.
However, most published celebrity wealth estimates placed his net worth at around $5 million at the time of his death.
His income came from multiple sources throughout a career spanning more than three decades, including:
- Album sales with The Frames
- The Swell Season
- Solo albums
- Worldwide concert tours
- Royalties from Falling Slowly
- Acting roles, including The Commitments and Once
- The Broadway adaptation of Once, which continued generating licensing and songwriting royalties
Rather than pursuing mainstream commercial success, Hansard built a reputation as one of Ireland’s most respected singer-songwriters, earning a loyal international following.
How did Glen Hansard become famous?
Hansard first gained recognition as the frontman of Irish rock band The Frames, but his international breakthrough came in 2007 with the independent film Once.
Starring opposite Markéta Irglová, Hansard played a Dublin street musician whose songs formed the emotional core of the movie.
Their song Falling Slowly won the Academy Award for Best Original Song, transforming Hansard into an internationally recognized artist. The film later inspired the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Once, further expanding his audience.
Glen Hansard’s legacy
Although millions remember Glen Hansard for his music, those closest to him often pointed to his generosity and humanitarian work.
For years he organized Dublin’s annual Christmas Eve charity busk, helping raise millions for homelessness charities, while continuing to support causes beyond music. Following his death, leaders across Ireland and artists including Bruce Springsteen, Bono and Ed Sheeran described him as not only a gifted musician but also an exceptionally kind person.
Today, his legacy lives on through his songs, his Academy Award-winning work, and the family he leaves behind—his wife Maire Saaritsa and their young son Christy.
