Irish-made independent film Once has been rated as one of the best musical dramas in recent years. It is a modern day musical set on the streets of Dublin. Featuring Glen Hansard, lead singer of the Irish band “The Frames,” the film tells the story of a street busker and a Czech immigrant during an amazing week as they write, rehearse and record songs that reveal their unique love story. ONCE was the winner of the World Cinema Audience Award at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival.

Featuring thirteen tracks played either on acoustic guitar or piano or a lovely combination of the two, Once is a showcase for two people who are musicians first and actors second. You will know Hansard from his work as the frontman of irish band the Frames. Irglová is a bit less well known, but she is a Czech Republic-born singer/songwriter with a voice that is sweet, soulful, tentative and completely endearing. The two have collaborated before on The Swell Season, which fans of this soundtrack will also enjoy.

I defy anyone to keep your heart from breaking while listening to Irglová’s tear-jerking song, “The Hill.” “Fallen from the Sky,” by Hansard, takes on more of a bouncy and detached tone, yet still remains undeniably endearing. “Leave” is an amazing song, at first touching, then reactionary and cruel, but also entirely effective and affecting. The last few tracks all pull on the heartstrings, most of them more so by the fact of Hansard performing them on his own. But no song is more incredible than the title track from the film, featuring both its lead actors. If a song can prove that two people are interminably entwined, perfectly complementing the other, than it is “Once.” Hansard and Irglová sound beautiful together, even amidst hopeless lyrics. Despite the words, the two are obviously in love, their voices betraying their hearts. The fiery and intentionally overwrought “Say It To Me Now,” performed alone by Hansard, closes out the album, asking for that last statement of love, desperately, full of hope and yet hopeless at the same time.

Once is already being hailed as one of the best `music films’ ever made, but that sells it short. It’s also one of the best love stories ever written for the screen, made better by the emotional resonance of the songwriting. This movie leaves you with a feeling of hope and the music on the soundtrack will do the same.

Tracklisting:

1. FALLING SLOWLY
2. IF YOU WANT ME
3. BROKEN HEARTED HOOVER FIXER SUCKER GUY
4. WHEN YOUR MIND’S MADE UP
5. LIES
6. GOLD
7. THE HILL
8. FALLEN FROM THE SKY
9. LEAVE
10. TRYING TO PULL MYSELF AWAY
11. ALL THE WAY DOWN
12. ONCE
13. SAY IT TO ME NOW