The once and future king

The champagne corks were popping furiously in Hollywood on Sunday night as Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova’s ‘Falling Slowly’ won the Oscar for ‘Best Original Song’ in a movie.

Proceedings got off to the best possible start when, having been introduced to the Kodak Theater audience by Colin Farrell, the duo performed a spine-tingling version of the Once soundtrack song, accompanied by a full orchestra.
Clearly moved, Hansard said in his acceptance speech: “This is amazing. What are we doing here? This is mad. We made this film two years ago. We shot on two handicams. It took us three weeks to make. We made it for a hundred grand. We never thought we would come into a room like this and be in front of you people. It’s been an amazing thing. Thanks for taking this film seriously, all of you. It means a lot to us. Thanks to the Academy, thanks to all the people who’ve helped us, they know who they are, we don’t need to say them. This is amazing.”
And he continued defiantly: “Make art. Make art. Thanks.”
Those sentiments were echoed by Irglova, who was originally told that there wasn’t time for her to make a speech because of the need to go to a TV ad break, but in an extraordinary break from protocol, was ushered back on by host Jon Stewart after the commercials. She responded with a dignity and composure which was a lesson to many of the other winners on the night...
“I just want to thank you so much,” she enthused. “This is such a big deal, not only for us, but for all other independent musicians and artists that spend most of their time struggling, and this, the fact that we’re standing here tonight, the fact that we’re able to hold this, it’s just to prove no matter how far out your dreams are, it’s possible. And, you know, fair play to those who dare to dream and don’t give up. And this song was written from a perspective of hope, and hope at the end of the day connects us all, no matter how different we are. And so thank you so much, who helped us along the way. Thank you.”
At the press call afterwards, Glen noted: “When we were kids, we used to watch the Oscars every year and talked about what people were wearing. It’s amazing to be here tonight. My mother was sitting beside me and she was just so nervous – she’s been so nervous since we were nominated. I was welling up.”
For her part, Marketa observed: “These days, films are being made for different reasons like money, and art is being compromised. I think people feel this film was done from a very pure point and an artistic one. I also think it’s a story of love and we can all connect with that.”
With Daniel Day-Lewis taking the award for Best Actor, the tributes to Ireland’s Oscar double-whammy were lead by Mary McAleese.
“I am delighted to congratulate Daniel Day-Lewis on winning the Oscar for best actor in a leading role, and Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova on winning the Oscar for music,” the President gushed. “2008 has been a tremendously successful year for Irish cinema, as witnessed by the many international nominations and awards already garnered. Last night’s achievements at the Oscars are a further sign of the inexhaustible supply of creativity and talent with which this country has been blessed.”
The Irish government – bet they’re glad they didn’t do away with those Section 481 tax-breaks – weren’t far behind her.
“All involved in the funding and making of Once, especially the Irish Film Board, deserve our fullest congratulations and gratitude for having the foresight to realise the potential of this simple yet captivating story,” pronounced the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Séamus Brennan, doubtless raging that he wasn’t in LA for the photo-op.
Meanwhile, Once took the award for 'Best Foreign Film' at the prestigious Film Independent Spirit Awards, which are presented annually on the eve of the Oscars. Among the other winners – the awards are for movies made on a budget of less than $20 million – were Juno and I’m Not There.
All of which seriously ups the ante for the 26-date Swell Season tour that kicks off on April 23 in Phoenix’s Orpheum Theater and includes notable stop-offs at New York’s Radio City Music Hall and the Coachella and Bonaroo festivals, before ending on June 22 at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival in Colorado – where Glen will also be playing a set with The Frames.
Back home, you can catch the Oscar-winning pair on March 5 when they grace the latest series of RTÉ 2’s Other Voices.