The LAFCA prizes are seen as one of the first indicators of what films could succeed in the battle for the Oscars. The winners will receive their awards at a gala evening in Los Angeles on January 12.

Once has already won the Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival in January and also picked up a gong for the best foreign film at the Raindance festival in London in October.

Last week Irglova and Hansard received Grammy nominations for the best soundtrack and the best song.