Questions & Answers regarding the movie Once

So you loved the movie Once. I did as well. I have compiled a bunch of information about the movie, the actors, the music and some lingering questions I had into this clearinghouse.

What are the two main characters' names?
They didn't have names. I'm not kidding. When the credits roll, the two main characters list 'Guy' and 'Girl' next to their names. IMDB also lists them this way and that is also how other critics refer to them in their reviews. It's a small detail but it helps sustain the simplicity of the story.

Where have I seen the Guy before? What was he in before 'Once'?
The 1991 movie The Commitments. Synopsis: A wry bunch of struggling musicians form "World's Hardest Working Band," The Commitments, and bring soul music to the people of Dublin, Ireland.

What more can you tell me about the Guy?
His name is Glen Hansard and he is a members of the popular Irish band The Frames. Other than his appearance in The Commitments, he is not an actor by trade but a musician. While most Americans would not recognize him for his music, The Frames are very popular in Ireland.

What can you tell me about the Girl?
Her name is Marketa Irglova and she is 19 years old (she was 17 while they were filming). She grew up in the Czech Republic. She is a gifted musician in her own right. She and Glen Hansard put out an album in 2006 called 'The Swell Season' which features many of the same songs found on the 'Once' soundtrack.

How long have they known each other?
They met in 2001 when The Frames traveled to a music festival in the Czech Republic. Marketa's parents threw a party for the visiting musicians. Hansard kept in touch and continued to visit and they began to write songs together. In 2005, she went to Ireland where they collaborated in writing the songs that would become their release, "The Swell Season." [See article in Premier]

Who wrote the songs in the movie?
Both Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová wrote the songs. Whether the movie inspired the music or the other way around is difficult to tell. As Flashes of Panic parenthetically wrote: "some of the songs are longtime Frames songs, some are from Hansard and Iglova’s collaboration, “The Swell Season,” and some may have been written for the movie—but it’s not clear which are which."

Do they perform together?
Yes. They are doing some performance dates together in July and August. Check the Once - The Movie myspace page for exact dates and details.

Where can I find lyrics to the songs in Once?
All the songs' lyrics can be found on my blog:
http://blog.mccannta.com/mccannta/2007/06/lyrics-for-song.html.

The chemistry between the two stars looked real. Are Glen Hansard and Markta Irglova dating?
Yes. ''I had been falling in love with her for a long time, but I kept telling myself she's just a kid,'' says Hansard, 37, who has known his 19-year-old costar for the past six years. (The two are now dating.) ''There was definitely the feeling we were documenting something precious and private.''

Where can I find guitar chords for these songs?
I have had a tough time finding chords for these songs. When I find them, I will post links for them here.

• Falling Slowly Chords

[**SPOILER**] In the scene by the sea, what did she say in Czech in reply to him asking if she still loves her husband?
I have heard that she replies in Czech "It is you that I love." How sweet is that?

[**SPOILER**] Who bought the piano for the Girl at the end of the movie?
Initially, I didn't give it much thought. I assumed that the Guy bought it from the music store. I'm still fairly sure that is what happened but I come across some posts where it has been suggested that her husband may have bought the piano for her. The piano was definitely used and was not the quality of other pianos in the music store. Maybe the husband realized how much her music meant to her and bought it as a token of his support and affection. Nothing is for sure, but it is an alternative that has some merit. Do you have a theory? Share it as a comment on this post...

Do you think the Guy will get back together with his old girlfriend?
I don't know but what do you think? Leave a comment on this post and share your thoughts about what you think will happen

How much did this movie cost to make?
$175,000 (US). It is likely the marketing costs will be 20-times  the production cost!. The movie has already grossed 15 times it's production cost as word of mouth is spreading.

Why was the movie rated 'R' is America?
Language. How fucking stupid is that?

Was Glen Hansard the first choice as the movie's lead?
No. Writer/Director John Carney initially had Irish actor Cillian Murphy (Batman Begins, Red Eye) in mind as the lead. When he dropped out, Carney then turned to his old friend and former Frames bandmate (Carney played bass for The Frames for years), Glen Hansard. Hansard was already working on the music, with Markéta Irglová, and fell into the roll naturally.      

Is the 'car test' the recording engineer mentioned (listening to a final mix on a car stereo to compare with the studio monitors) a common practice among engineers?
Absolutely. Studio monitors are very distinctive and they can sometimes mask certain aspects of a mix. Listening to another pair of speakers that you are familiar with is a very important part of the mix process.

Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova Interview on YouTube:
1 of 4 - 2 of 4 - 3 of 4 - 4 of 4

Once Trailer

Did you notice that...

• When she curses, she used the F-word almost exclusively, even when another curse word would have been more appropriate. I think this is an example of great writing. The Girl is an immigrant from Czechoslovakia and far from mastery in English, cursing or otherwise. The F-word is great because grammatically, it works in almost every situation.
• The Girl's ridiculous outfits and men's blazers she wore? In the end, they did nothing to change how captivatingly attractive she was, if anything, it added to it.
• The Girl is wearing super-large, fluffy slippers as she goes to buy batteries late and night and then walks home singing while wearing headphones.

Comments

[Karolina]

Good answer, I am looking for the solution of the same question. Find the movies or mp3 you are looking for at all-shares.com the most comprehensive source for free-to-try files downloads on the Web

[Jewels]

I did not find her outfits ridiculous at all!
I think they suit her, they are artsy and bohemian, and they were very much 'in' in the late 80's/mid 90's.
Beautiful movie, meaningful songs, very real story line.

[Yudan]

Thank you really so much for sharing all the information. My husband and I saw the movie two days ago and the scenes and music are still flapping over my head. It is a portrait of a private and precious story between my husband and I as well. So before I learned anything from the web, I instintively knew that she said something like "I love you". My husband and I had a similar encounter several years ago, then we were back together 3 years later and now have a beautiful baby girl.

[not available]

Re: I think there is a shot of a statue of Lynott in the movie, but am going again tomorrow night and will check:-)

that is a statue of phil lynott. it's in dublin. i've forgotten the name of the street, but they put it up a year or two ago. the whole movie was shot in dublin. i know the music store they played in =)

[Rei Santos]

Do you really think Guy's EX cheated on him? I had this impression that he only sang that song to:
a) shut Girl up or
b) make girl realize that he's really over her and ready to move on and hopefully hit the sack with her (which he tried after the hoover got fixed)

I also came to a weird conclusion that he went to Dublin to spend some time doing his music. I think Guy and his EX are still in good terms, as evident in the phone call where the EX told GUY that she'll fetch him in the airport + the news that he recorded an album.

[Dieter]

Questions ... and attempts of answers (with apologies for "bumpy" English where things become subtle; it's not my native language)
----------------
"Who bought the piano...?"
I'm sure, "the Guy" bought it from the music store. It's no contradiction that it was used; the store owner might easily have used connections to second hand piano sellers. And after "the Guy" has achieved his success and had his record contract, he bought it for her because of his thankfulness for her important contribution to the success, and in order to cement their friendship.
----------------
"Do you think the Guy will get back together with his old girlfriend?"
I think for sure he will - for two reasons: first, he still loves her, and the contact with "the Girl" has brought him mental stability, so he could forgive and could be confident to reanimate the relation with his old girlfriend. And second, quite subtle - and "labyrinthine", as life often is - that helped him for the "self protection" he needed because "the Girl" and her husband were together again. So he could keep the deep friendship with "the Girl" on a stable basis and without irritation. And I'm sure he did that too! (((Maybe, some kind of experience contributes to this conclusion.)))
----------------
Finally: "Once" is the most tender love story I've ever seen! And the soundtrack is gorgeous! I listen to it again and again. For my dear goddaughter I put down the notes of "I don't know you" for the flute (with little alterations where it goes below the deep c), and she plays it now along to the CD. What a joy!
Thanks to all who brought this beautiful movie to us (I saw it in Munich, Bavaria) - and thanks to Mccanta for this excellent site! "The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return" I read in the headline - how true!

[Patt~*]

ThxU for these details ,,,very interesting
I do love this movie. Over here in thailand not so much people would b interested in it but i do...

' such a great movie ever...'

[Yvette]

If anyone doubts that it was the guy who bought her the piano and not her husband, in the DVD bonus features John Carney, the writer/director says that the guy bought her the piano. :o)

[MK]

well about retro clothing, no, it is not "part of our culture" not at all, but let's say that people in my country wear what they want, what they like, so it isn't too big random to mett someone wearing something like she wears
And by the way, I think that they spoke really gorgeous english cause even I understood them =P

Please excuse my bad english =*/

[Heather]

Thanks so much for posting the chords for "Falling".
I noticed a couple of words that I wondered about...toward the end of the song, could it be that the words should read "and I'M painted black" (instead of I'LL paint it black). and "you have suffered enough and WARRED with yourself" (instead of "WHAT" with yourself)? That's what I thought they were singing. Thoughts?

[Heather]

Thanks so much for posting the chords for "Falling".
I noticed a couple of words that I wondered about...toward the end of the song, could it be that the words should read "and I'M painted black" (instead of I'LL paint it black). and "you have suffered enough and WARRED with yourself" (instead of "WHAT" with yourself)? That's what I thought they were singing. Thoughts?

[R]

Just wanted to say that the "ridiculous outfit" the Girl wore were quite popular in mid-90's, at least in Prague, among high schoolers who wanted to be a little out of the main stream, a bit artsy. It's crazy to be 30 and see people wearing retro from your childhood:)Or maybe it's a surviving crazy part of our Czech culture?:)

[Greg]

Thanks for the great site and all the insider info ...

Just saw the movie on a flight home from Taipei to Phoenix. Have been learning to play guitar for a while and really wanted the chords to Falling Slowly (which is how Google pointed me to you).

Such a great movie, just bought four copies at a store to give as Christmas presents tomorrow. (And one for myself of course.) Such fabulous and genuinely mesemerizing Cinema happens only "Once"!

Greg

[Choi Sukun]

Thank you for all these information. I'm glad to find your website. I'm Korean guy and.... I saw this movie too. It was so moving. :)

[terentule]

she is immigrant from Czech republic, please, not Czechoslovakia...it's more than 15 years we and Slovakia are separated states ;).
And yes, in the scene by the sea she said "I love you." :o)
It's really interesting film with great music :o).

[Trina O'Brien Leggott]

Re: Jane's question of July 19th and "Lizzie music" - the band is Thin Lizzy and the lead singer of the busking band slightly resembles the former lead singer Phil Lynott who died in the mid '80's. I think there is a shot of a statue of Lynott in the movie, but am going again tomorrow night and will check:-)

[Dianne]

Can't wait for the movie to come out on video so I can share it! My 18 year old and I listen to the cd in the car and sing at the top of our lungs. It is so good to finally know all the lyrics. We can fill in the parts we hummed with the real thing. Thanks so much!

[Mary Beth Dietrick]

I'm glad I happened upon your site. i saw Glen & Marketa at the Old Town School of Folk music in Chicago and will see Glen and The Frames next Saturday in Chicago. I've seen the movie 3 times and will buy it (and copies for my sons) as soon as it comes out. Fortunately it is playing at a theatre within walking distance of my home!

[Bob]

Just want to echo the answer that Guy bought the piano. Otherwise what in the world would he have wanted to talk to the clerk in the music store for (right after LOOKING AT THE PIANOS)?

[teevoz]

The piano was absolutely bought by the guy for the girl - not by the husband. And good thought, Jeff, that's it was the money his father gave him. That's why he was smiling in the airport - imagining her face when she got the delivery. NO question.

[Nick]

A friend & I have seen this movie 4 times each thus far.

I noticed that when the son leaves the vacuum cleaner repair shop, "Guy" asks his Dad if he would like him to turn around the Open/Closed sign so it says the shop is "Open." Dad says "yes" so Guy turns the sign around so it says Open facing out and closed toward the camera. However, in the last shot in this scene, the sign is turned around again.

Also interesting is during the song "Lies" on the bus, we see the sign that asks, "Are You Power Mad?" which I thought was appropriate background for the song.

[Katie]

Thank you so much for providing the lyrics to these songs. I had been searching the internet for them and was so pleased when I came upon your sight.

What beautiful, haunting songs. It's a delight to have the poetic words that go with this amazing music.

[Jane]

I just finished watching "Once" here in the U.S. This film is absolutely beautiful and the music inspiring. It is refreshingly real. Thank you for posting the lyrics. It is wonderful to read the words as I listen to the soundtrack.

[Ken]

What was the conversation about "Lizzie Music" that the Guy had with the busker band he hired for the recording session?

[Kwan]

The name of the song she sang in the recording studio but did not finish is called 'The Hill".
cheers.