Stars Come Out for 'Once'

Posted on Feb 22nd 2008 5:30PM by Steve Baltin
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It's a long way from the streets of Dublin to the Oscars. But what took U2 more than 20 years to make it to Hollywood's biggest night, Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova -- the musical duo of 'Once' -- did in less than a year, scoring a Best Original Song nomination for 'Falling Slowly' (also Spinner's Number One song of 2007). The unlikely Oscar nominees, who will be performing the tune during this Sunday's telecast, gave industry folk -- including celebrities like Salma Hayek, Sophia Bush, Adrian Grenier and Oliver Stone, among others -- a preview of their magic with a four-song set at Global Green's annual pre-Oscar party in L.A. on Wednesday night.

Hansard -- a member of the Frames -- and Irgolva broke out the award-garnering tune, as well as spot-on rendition of 'When Your Mind's Made Up' and a cover of the Pixies' 'Cactus.'

Hansard's fellow Irishman Damien Rice performed a pair of acoustic tracks, including his hit 'Blower's Daughter,' while Michelle Branch and Spearhead's Michael Franti also took to the stage for brief sets.