Hansard & Irglova: An Oscar Night Cinderella Story

Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova perform at Tonic, New York, Oct 14, 2006 (photo: Akash Goyal)

A little over a year ago, the singing duo of Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova (also known as The Swell Season) were playing gigs for 200 people at a time in tiny Lower East Side venues like Pianos and Tonic. Last night, they played for almost a billion people worldwide and took home the Oscar for Best Song in a Motion Picture for their tune "Falling Slowly." Such is the overnight success story of the infectious little indie film Once.

Hansard and Irglova appeared on the CW11 Morning News back in July 2007 when they were promoting the domestic release of Once. Watch our exclusive clips after the jump.

Hansard and Irglova performing at the Oscar ceremony:

In one of Oscar night's more touching moments, Irglova was extended the rare courtesy of being invited back onstage after being cut off by the orchestra before being able to make a speech.

Hansard and Irglova in an exclusive interview with the CW11 Morning News:

Hansard and Irglova perform "Falling Slowly" on the CW11 Morning News: