Glen Hansard: "Say It To Me Now"

Glen Hansard's emotion while he sings will make ANYONE stop in the middle of the street and watch. For those that don't know who he is, he's the lead singer of an Irish band called "The Frames," and is most recently part of "The Swell Season" with his co-star, Marketa Irglova, from "Once"...my favorite movie. "Once" is about music, love, and everything in between (even though there isn't much in between). It's perhaps the most perfect depiction of what it's like to be a singer/ songwriter; living day to day with your songs as your motivation and your girl as your engine. These two met on the set of the movie and are now married, playing together in "The Swell Season" and touring around the nation. "Once" is a beautiful story...check it out asap. The soundtrack will knock your pants, skirt, kilt off.

Speaking of the soundtrack, the movie opens with Glen standing in the middle of an empty street in Dublin, very late at night. It's just him, his guitar (with multiple holes in it) and his voice. No mic, no amp, no listeners, no anything; the true epitome of what a true music lover plays music for...the music, not the fans. Due to copyright restrictions, I can't play the movie version here, but below is a live version of "Say It To Me Now," the opening tune from "Once." This was recorded at a screening of the movie up in Canada. If you don't get chills 1:10 into this video, well, then you should go to the doctor. I remember seeing this opening performance on the movie and forgetting to breath for about 2 1/2 minutes; totally in shock and awe at the level of emotion one man can emit by simply standing up with a beaten guitar and just his voice. I'm convinced that this movie is called "Once" because we've all been looking to relate, react, feel a certain way by watching and listening to music. Just this "Once" we're truly shown why we've been looking to feel this way. Glen shows it all; heart on his sleeve, and eyes closed. And, you can't just watch it "Once." I've seen the movie at least 6 times.

Cheers.