Glen Hansard: Meeting heroes and the tape that changed his life

It’s odd to say about someone who was a musician through and through, but – whether by fate or accident – Hansard ended up appearing in two of the biggest films in Ireland’s history.

Alan Parker’s 1991 film, The Commitments, tells the story of the rise and fall of a soul band made up of young working-class Dubliners.

Hansard played the role of guitarist Outspan Foster, despite not originally auditioning for the part.

“I just showed up with my friend, we had been up all night,” he told the XS Noise podcast, external earlier this year.

“He went for the audition and I sat outside waiting for him.”

Hansard said they were about to leave when he was asked if he wanted to read for a part.

“They said you’ve got red hair, you play guitar, you fit the bill for this character that we’re casting.

“So I went in and I read a few lines and I’d no problem with the accent because I’m from the north side of Dublin – so I’m a northsider, I play guitar and I’ve got red hair, I kind of fit the bill.

“So they gave me a callback and much to my surprise I got the part.”

The film was an unlikely hit, going on to achieve cult status.

He described the experience as “incredible, it was a beautiful experience”.

“It’s sad for me that people have said to me ‘I’ve heard you didn’t enjoy the experience with The Commitments’ – I loved it, I had an absolute ball.

“I just sort of felt it didn’t define me and that was my little bit of resistance.”