"Falling Slowly" Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová

In Hollywood, they pay people a lot of money to write this scene. It's the scene where the audience falls in love with the young lovers, falling in love. It sounds simple, but audiences are so familiar with this moment that, more often than not, it functions as information ("They are now Falling In Love.") rather than drama. ("Please God, let this work out for them...")

The hit Irish film, "Once", lets the music do all the work. Two struggling musicians meet in a busy Dublin shopping district. He's busking. She's selling flowers. She takes him to a piano shop where he teaches her one of his songs. When she finds the perfect vocal harmony for his lonely melody, the deal is sealed. If you listen carefully, you can hear the sound of a thousand screenwriters drawing a bath and opening a vein. (Go WGA)

"Once" might be the best film I've seen this year, in no small part due to Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová's beautiful songs. It's out on DVD so go rent it, or you can buy it here...

"Once" DVD (amazon)

"Once" Original Soundtrack (amazon)

And here's the album version of Falling Slowly...

"Falling Slowly" Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová

PS Hansard is the front man for The Frames, who are also worth a listen.