“Falling Slowly” by Irish musician Glen Hansard and Czech-born Marketa Irglova from the small film “Once” has won the Academy Award. The understated and haunting song has generated a lot of buzz for the low-budget Irish film, and for two previously unknown actors. Glen Hansard, 37, is the frontman for Irish rock band The Frames, while his girlfriend Marketa, 19, is a pianist and singer. According to a profile in the NY Times, they’re staying with friends while in Hollywood for the Oscars, and Hansard didn’t even own a suit and had to buy one for the ceremony. The two musicians are also the stars of the film, which was shot for just $160,000 and was mostly funded by The Irish Film Board. It is about a chance meeting and friendship between a street musician and an immigrant flower seller and was shot with natural light and features scenes from the houses of the filmmakers’ friends. Director John Carney is the bassist in Hansard’s group The Frames.

When Hansard and Irglova were practicing on Friday for their Oscar performance, fellow Irishman Colin Farrel and Oscars producer Gil Cates were in the small but rapt audience. Farrel came up on stage afterwards to give Hansard a hug, and said that he’ll be practicing his Irish accent for the Oscars. Their performance tonight was one of the most anticipated of the Oscars, and they did not disappoint. The song is so beautiful that the first time I heard it I started tearing up.

Hansard and Irglova have known each other since she was just 13, but only fell in love while filming Once. Entertainment Weekly reports that Hansard says he thought she was just a kid, but could no longer deny his feelings while they were working on the film:

“I had been falling in love with her for a long time, but I kept telling myself she’s just a kid,” says Hansard, 37, who has known his 19-year-old costar for the past six years. (The two are now dating.) “There was definitely the feeling we were documenting something precious and private.”

[From Entertainment Weekly via Wikipedia]

Both musicians have suggested that despite the success of their film they won’t be pursuing acting as a career.

In his acceptance speech, Hansard spoke quickly and excitedly. Here’s my quick transcript: “This is amazing, what are we doing here, this is mad. We made this film two years ago, shot on two handycams… thanks for taking this film seriously, it means a lot to us… Make art. Make art.” Irglova then stepped up to the mic, but the music was already playing at that point and she nodded, smiled and walked offstage with Hansard, his arm around her shoulder.

After the brief commercial break Jon Stewart incredibly brought Irglova on stage again to finish. This was so unexpected that I didn’t get a chance to transcribe the whole thing. She said: “This is such a big deal not only for us but for all other independent musicians who are struggling… this just goes to show that no matter what your dreams are…”

And that’s where I lost it, but you get the point. This year’s Oscars are so fresh and entertaining.

Here’s a video of “Falling Slowly” set to scenes from “Once.” The sound is a little low so you’ll need to turn it up.

You can also hear the song on the website for Once.

Update by Celebitchy: Here’s the first half of their acceptance speech before Irglova came back in:
[Details from Wikipedia (spoilers in link), The Huffington Post and Starpulse]

Thanks to AllMoviePhoto for these pictures from the film.