Once is a 2007 independent musical film directed by John Carney. It stars Glen Hansard as an unnamed vacuum repairman and Markéta Irglová as a Czech immigrant known as "Girl". The film was shot on a shoestring budget of €112,000 and went on to become a critical and commercial success. It won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for its hit single "Falling Slowly".
The film is set in Dublin, Ireland and follows the story of two struggling musicians who meet by chance on the street. The vacuum repairman, who plays guitar and sings his own compositions, is amazed by Girl's piano playing and singing and asks her to collaborate with him. They spend a week together writing and recording music, and as they work together, they begin to fall in love. However, their relationship is complicated by their different backgrounds, as well as by the fact that Girl has a young daughter and a husband back in the Czech Republic.
Throughout the movie, the two characters sing several original songs, many of which are written specifically for the film by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová. Several of the songs, such as "Falling Slowly" and "When Your Mind's Made Up," became popular hits and were released as singles. The film's soundtrack was also a commercial success, reaching the top ten in the United States.
Once is a unique and unconventional love story that has been praised for its raw emotion, heartfelt performances, and beautiful music. It stands out as a low-budget indie film that captured the attention of both critics and audiences alike, launching the careers of both Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová.