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Once More With Feeling


Published Tuesday, March 10, 2009, 4:15 PM
Updated Thursday, July 23, 2009, 6:08 PM

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Once, a stunning new Irish film opening nationwide on May 18, tells the tale of a Grafton Street busker and a Czech immigrant who come together over an eventful week to write, rehearse and record songs that bring their unique love story to life. CAHIR O'DOHERTY reports.

AS the two lead roles in the exciting new Irish film Once get to know each other, sparks fly and new songs are written. But this is no by the numbers boneheaded musical, but rather a gritty and realistic story of modern Dublin and the dreams of two immensely talented hard working people who live there.

Cillian Murphy was originally slated to play the hero, but when that deal fell through the role was taken - very reluctantly - by the lead singer of the celebrated Irish band the Frames, Glen Hansard, 37. It was a stroke of luck and to the film's lasting benefit. With his Irish everyman looks and with a voice so strong that it can raise the rafters, he brings a complete authenticity to the role that lifts the film into another realm, one that matches the soaring beauty of the music.

Hansard's strong performance is matched by the film's other breakout star, Marketa Irglova, 27, the Czech-born singer and songwriter who recognizes his talent and enhances it with her own. Each day they meet on Grafton Street, and an achingly tender relationship forms between them.

Perhaps it's because they are not professional actors with a suitcase full of theatrical tricks that Hansard and Irglova make such a winning couple on the big screen. But that's not to suggest they give unconvincing performances - on the contrary, as professional musicians, their genuine skill and their passion for their work shines through every scene.

"John Carney (the film's director) called me up one day and said he wanted to talk about this script he was writing about a busker," Hansard said during an interview with the Irish Voice.

"I had been a busker In Dublin from the age of 13 onward. He wanted to see if I could add a few ideas to the script. I told him about a lot of incidental stuff that had happened to me - a typical day in the life of a street musician, you know?

"Like when a drunken guy comes up and tries to steal my guitar case. Or when the chanting Hare Krishnas are drowning me out. Or when the passer-bys are asking me to sing Aslan songs. Those were all straight from life. So John gave me the script and asked me to think about writing songs for it. I was delighted when he told me that he really wanted to use all the songs I gave him."

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