'Once' stars to perform in Seoul

'Once' Stars to Perform in January

The stars of the hit film "Once" Glen Hansard and Markleta Irglova will perform in Seoul in January. / Courtesy of Private CurveBy Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter

The low-budget independent film ``Once" was a surprise hit around the world, including Korea, last year, thanks to its romantic storyline and hauntingly beautiful songs.

Glen Hansard and Markleta Iglova, the stars of ``Once," will perform as The Swell Season in a concert in Seoul, January. Two concerts are scheduled on Jan. 17 and 18 at the Grand Theater, Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, Gwanghwamun, downtown Seoul.

Hansard and Irglova are expected to perform their signature acoustic songs from the film, such as ``If You Want Me," ``When Your Mind's Made Up," and, of course, the Grammy and Academy Award-winning song ``Falling Slowly."

Hansard will also play the guitar, while Irglova will play the piano. The band also includes bassist Joe Doyle, violinist Colm MacConIomaire, guitarist Robert Bochnik and drummer Graham Hopkins.

Hansard was the frontman for the Irish rock band The Frames when he was asked to play the role of a struggling street singer in Once by his onetime band mate and director John Carney in 2006. Carney also cast Irglova, a young Czech singer and classically trained pianist, in the female role.

After filming, the duo's collaboration album ``The Swell Season" was released in 2006.

But it was ``Once" that catapulted Hansard and Irglova into the mainstream. The film was released in 2007, and became one of the most successful independent films of the year. The simple story about two musicians who fall in love in Dublin touched audiences around the world. But one of the main reasons for its success was the simple but beautiful melody written and composed by Hansard and Irglova.

With the film's success, Hansard and Irglova started performing together as The Swell Season around the United States and Europe. Millions watched on TV as they gave a stirring performance at the Academy Awards in February.

Hansard, 38, and Irglova, 20, also became a couple in real life. They collaborated on a cover version of Bob Dylan's ``You Ain't Goin' Nowhere," which was included on the 2007 soundtrack of the film "I'm Not There."

There is much interest and anticipation for The Swell Season's first performance in Seoul. The ``Once" soundtrack was one of the best-selling foreign albums of 2007 in Korea.

The concert is part of Private Curve's Beautiful Singer Songwriter Series. Sejong Center for the Performing Arts is located near Gwanghwamun Station Subway Line 5. Tickets are 99,000 won, 77,000 won, 55,000 won and 33,000 won. Call (02) 563-0595 or visit ticket.interpark.com. For ticket reservations in English, send an e-mail to info@privatecurve.com.

cathy@koreatimes.co.kr