Once Soundtrack

The starring roles in Once, the little movie that could by writer/director John Carney, stars the Frames' Glen Hansard and Czech singer and songwriter Markéta Irglová. The songs, representing those of the character Guy, and his collaborator Girl, are made up of simple and attractive acoustic pop, full of guitars, piano, a small drum kit and electric bass, with some supplemental instruments. Sung by one, the other, or the pair, they offer a sweet and moving little soundtrack to this quirky film that offers no easy answers and asks plenty of questions. Interestingly enough, Hansard and Irglová are real life musical partners. They recorded an album together in 2006 called Swell Season. Five of these 13 tunes originally appeared on that set issued in the United States on the Overcoat label. For the film, additional recording on the original material and the supplemental songs written specifically for the cinematic project were done in a studio in Ireland.The wispy nature of much of this material makes for an intimate listen and one that is as skeletal yet elegant as the film itself. -All Music Guide