Glenn Hansard: Meeting Heroes and the Tape That Changed His Life

It’s a strange thing to say about someone who was a musician and a musician, but – whether by fate or chance – Hansard appeared in two of the biggest films in Irish history.

Alan Parker’s

Hansard played the role of guitarist Outspan Foster, although he did not originally appear for the episode.

“I was there with my friend, we were up all night.” he told the XS Noise podcast., External earlier this year.

“He went to the hearing and I sat outside and waited for him.”

When asked if he wanted to read part of Hansard, he said they were about to leave.

“They said you have red hair, you play guitar, it fits the bill for the character we’re casting.

“So I went in and read a few lines and I didn’t have a problem with the accent because I’m from the north of Dublin – so I’m from the north, I play guitar and I’ve got red hair, I fit the bill perfectly.

“So they offered to call me back and, to my surprise, I got the part.”

The film was incredibly popular, it continues to gain cult status.

He described the experience as “an amazing, beautiful experience.”

“It makes me sad when people tell me, ‘I heard you didn’t enjoy The Commitments experience – I loved it, I had an absolute ball.’

“I felt it didn’t define me and that was my little objection.”