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Once (film)

Once is a 2007 Irish romantic musical drama film written and directed by John Carney. The film stars Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová as two struggling musicians in Dublin, Ireland. Hansard and Irglová had previously performed music as the Swell Season, and composed and performed the film's original songs.

Once
US theatrical release poster
Directed byJohn Carney
Written byJohn Carney
Produced byMartina Niland
StarringGlen Hansard
Markéta Irglová
CinematographyTim Fleming
Edited byPaul Mullen
Music byGlen Hansard
Markéta Irglová
Interference
Production
companies
Distributed bySummit Entertainment (Sales)
Icon Film Distribution (Home media)
Buena Vista International (Theatrical)[1]
Release dates
  • 20 January 2007 (2007-01-20) (Sundance)
  • 23 March 2007 (2007-03-23) (Ireland)
Running time
86 minutes[2]
CountryIreland
LanguagesEnglish
Czech
Budget$150,000[3]
Box office$23.3 million[4]

Once spent years in development with the Irish Film Board and was made for a budget of €112,000. It was a commercial success, earning substantial per-screen box office averages in the United States, and received acclaim from critics. It received awards including the 2007 Independent Spirit Award for Best Foreign Film. Hansard and Irglová's song "Falling Slowly" won the 2008 Academy Award for Best Original Song (making Irglova the youngest person to win an Oscar in a non-acting category), and the soundtrack received a Grammy Award nomination. The film has also been adapted into a successful stage musical.

Plot

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A thirty-something busker (Guy) performs with his guitar on Grafton Street, Dublin, but his performance is interrupted when he chases a man who steals his money. Lured by his music, a young Czech magazine and flower seller (Girl) talks to him about his songs. Delighted to learn that he repairs hoovers, Girl asks Guy to fix hers. The next day Girl returns with her broken vacuum and tells him she is also a musician.

At a music store where Girl usually plays piano, Guy teaches her one of his songs ("Falling Slowly"); they sing and play together. He invites her to his father's shop, and on the bus home musically answers Girl's question about what his songs are about: a long-time girlfriend who cheated on him, then left ("Broken Hearted Hoover Fixer Sucker Guy").

At the shop, Guy introduces Girl to his father and takes her to his room, but when he asks her to stay the night, she gets upset and leaves. The next day, they reconcile and spend the week writing, rehearsing and recording songs. Girl writes the lyrics for one of Guy's songs ("If You Want Me"), singing to herself while walking down the street; at a party, people perform impromptu (including "Gold").

Guy works on "Lies", a song about his ex-girlfriend, who moved to London. Girl encourages him to win her back. Invited to her home, he discovers she has a toddler and lives with her mother. Guy decides to move to London, but he wants to record a demo of his songs to take with him and asks Girl to record it with him. They secure a bank loan and reserve time at a recording studio.

Guy learns Girl has a husband in the Czech Republic. When he asks if she still loves her husband, Girl answers in Czech, "Miluju tebe" ("I love you"),[5] but coyly declines to translate. After recruiting a band with other buskers, they go into the studio to record. They impress Eamon, the jaded studio engineer, with their first song ("When Your Mind's Made Up"). On a break in the early morning, Girl finds a piano in an empty studio and plays Guy one of her own compositions ("The Hill").

After the all-night session wraps up, they walk home. Before they part ways, Girl reveals that she spoke to her husband and he is coming to live with her in Dublin. Guy persuades her to spend his last night in Dublin with him, but she stands him up and he cannot find her to say goodbye before his flight. He plays the demo for his father, who gives him money to help him get settled in London. Before leaving for the airport, Guy buys Girl a piano and makes arrangements for its delivery, then calls his ex-girlfriend, who is happy about his imminent arrival. Girl reunites with her husband in Dublin and plays the piano in their home.

Cast

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Once stars Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová
  • Glen Hansard as Guy
  • Markéta Irglová as Girl
  • Hugh Walsh as Timmy Drummer
  • Gerard Hendrick as Lead Guitarist
  • Alaistair Foley as Bassist
  • Geoff Minogue as Éamon
  • Bill Hodnett as Guy's Dad
  • Danuse Ktrestova as Girl's Mother
  • Darren Healy as Heroin Addict
  • Mal Whyte as Bill
  • Marcella Plunkett as Ex-girlfriend
  • Niall Cleary as Bob
  • Wiltold Owski as Man watching TV
  • Krzysztof Płotka as Man watching TV
  • Tomek Głowacki Man watching TV
  • Keith Byrne as Guy in Piano Shop

Production

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Hansard's busking scenes were filmed on Grafton Street.

The two leads, Hansard and Irglová, are professional musicians.[6] Director Carney, former bassist for Hansard's band the Frames, had asked a long-time friend to share busker anecdotes and compose songs for the film, but originally intended the male lead to be played by actor Cillian Murphy,[7] who was an almost-signed rock musician before turning to acting.[8] Murphy was also going to be one of the film's producers, but reportedly did not like the prospect of acting opposite non-actor Irglová, who was then 17 years old. Murphy also believed he did not have the vocal capabilities to belt out Hansard's octave-leaping songs, so he pulled out, as did the film's other producers, also withdrawing their financial support.[9] Carney then turned to songwriter Hansard, who had done only one acting job before, a supporting role as guitarist Outspan Foster in the 1991 ensemble film The Commitments, the story of a Dublin soul music cover band. Initially, Hansard was reluctant, fearing that he wouldn't be able to pull it off, but after stipulating that he had to be fully involved in the filmmaking process and that it be low-budget and intimate, he agreed.[9]

 
Site of the filming of Girl's apartment on Mountjoy Square.

Produced on a shoestring, about 75 percent of the budget was funded by Bord Scannán na hÉireann (The Irish Film Board), with Carney committing some of his own money. The director gave his salary to the two stars, and promised a share of the proceeds to everyone if the film was a success. Filmed with a skeleton crew on a 17-day shoot, the filmmakers saved money by using natural light and shooting at friends' houses.[10] The musical party scene was filmed in Hansard's own flat, with his personal friends playing the partygoers/musicians.[11] His mother, Catherine Hansard, is briefly featured singing solo. The Dublin street scenes were recorded without permits, and with a long lens so that many passersby didn't realize that a film was being made. The long lens also helped the non-professional actors relax and forget about the camera, and some of the dialogue was improvised.[9]

The unrequited ending of the film was an element of the script that stayed consistent throughout production.[12] Said Hansard, "A lot of films let themselves down really badly by wrapping everything up in the last five minutes and giving you a story that trails off lovely. And what happens with those films is that you enjoy them but you forget them, because the story didn’t rip you. But some films pull you in, and then they leave you on edge. They end, and you’re left thinking about it. And that’s really the power of cinema, the duty of cinema—to make you feel something."[12] Hansard said ad-libbing produced the moment where Irglova's character tells the Guy in un-subtitled Czech, "No, I love you," but when it was shot, he didn't know what she'd said, just like his character.[13]

During the shoot, Carney had predicted a romance between Hansard and Irglová, calling the two his "Bogart and Bacall." Hansard and Irglová did become a couple in real life, getting together while on a promotional tour across North America, and living together in Dublin, in Hansard's flat.[14] Entertainment Weekly reported:

The chemistry between (the) two leads...was easy to produce during the January 2006 shoot in Dublin. "I had been falling in love with her for a long time, but I kept telling myself she's just a kid," said Hansard, 37, who had known his 19-year-old costar for six years prior. "There was definitely the feeling we were documenting something precious and private."[15]

In 2009, Hansard indicated they were no longer a romantic couple.[16] He said, "Of course, we fell into each other's arms. It was a very necessary part of our friendship but I think we both concluded that that wasn't what we really wanted to do. So we're not together now. We are just really good friends."[16]

As a result of the film, Hansard and Irglová released music and toured together as The Swell Season.[17][18]

Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová reprised their roles in The Simpsons episode "In the Name of the Grandfather."[19]

Reception

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Box office

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A rough cut of the film was previewed on 15 July 2006 at the Galway Film Fleadh, but the film was subsequently turned down by several prestigious European film festivals.[20] However, once finished, it secured spots at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival on 20 January 2007 and the Dublin Film Festival in February 2007, and received the audience awards at both events.[21]

The film was first released on cinema in Ireland by Buena Vista International on 23 March 2007, followed by a limited release in the United States by Fox Searchlight Pictures on 16 May 2007. After its second weekend in release in the United States and Canada, the film topped the 23 May 2007 indieWIRE box office chart with nearly $31,000 average per location.[22] As of 28 March 2009, Once has grossed nearly $9.5 million in North America and over $20 million worldwide.[23]

Accolades

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After 2007's box office success and critical acclaim, the film won the Independent Spirit Award for Best Foreign Film.[24][25] Steven Spielberg was quoted as saying, "a little movie called Once gave me enough inspiration to last the rest of the year." When informed of Spielberg's comments, director John Carney told Sky News, "in the end of the day, he's just a guy with a beard." At the time of that interview, Carney himself was also wearing a beard.[26]

The song "Falling Slowly" won the 2007 Academy Award for Best Original Song.[27] The nomination's eligibility for the Oscar was initially questioned,[28] as versions of the song had been recorded on The Cost and The Swell Season albums and it was also included in the movie Beauty in Trouble (all released in 2006); those issues were resolved before the voting for the award took place. The AMPAS music committee members satisfied themselves that the song had indeed been written for the film and determined that, in the course of the film's protracted production, the composers had "played the song in some venues that were deemed inconsequential enough to not change the song’s eligibility."[29]

Award Category Recipient(s) and nominee(s) Result
80th Academy Awards[27] Best Original Song Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová for "Falling Slowly" Won
Critics' Choice Awards[30] Best Song Won
13th Empire Awards[31] Best Soundtrack Once Nominated
50th Grammy Awards[32] Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová Nominated
Best Song Written for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová for "Falling Slowly" Nominated
23rd Independent Spirit Awards[33] Best Foreign Film John Carney Won
12th Satellite Awards[34] Best Original Song Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová for "If You Want Me" Nominated

Critical response

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Once received widespread acclaim from critics. Upon its March 2007 release in Ireland, RTÉ's Caroline Hennessy gave the film 4 out of 5 stars and termed it "an unexpected treasure". About the acting, this Irish reviewer commented, "Once has wonderfully natural performances from the two leads. Although musicians first and actors second, they acquit themselves well in both areas. Irglová, a largely unknown quantity alongside the well-known and either loved or loathed Hansard, is luminous."[35] Michael Dwyer of The Irish Times gave the film the same rating, calling it "irresistibly appealing" and noting that "Carney makes the point – without ever labouring it – that his protagonists are living in a changing city where the economic boom has passed them by. His keen eye for authentic locations is ... evident".[21]

Once won very high marks from U.S. critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 97% approval rating based on 159 reviews, with an average score of 8.30/10. The website's critical consensus states, "A charming, captivating tale of love and music, Once sets the standard for the modern musical. And with Dublin as its backdrop, Once is fun and fresh."[36] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 88 out of 100 based on reviews from 33 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[37] In May, on Ebert & Roeper, both Richard Roeper and guest critic Michael Phillips of the Chicago Tribune gave enthusiastic reviews. Phillips called it, "the most charming thing I've seen all year", "the Brief Encounter for the 21st century", his favorite music film since 1984's Stop Making Sense and said, "It may well be the best music film of our generation". Roeper referred to the film's recording studio scene as "more inspirational and uplifting than almost any number of Dreamgirls or Chicago or any of those multi-zillion dollar musical showstopping films. In its own way, it will blow you away."[38] Ebert gave the film four stars out of four, saying that he was "not at all surprised" that Philips had named it the best film of the year.[39]

In late 2007, Amy Simmons of Time Out London wrote, "Carney’s highly charged, urban mise-en-scène with its blinking street lamps, vacant shops and dishevelled bed-sits provides ample poetic backdrop for the film’s lengthy tracking shots, epitomised in a sequence where the Girl walks to the corner shop in pyjamas and slippers while listening to one of the Guy’s songs on her personal stereo. With outstanding performances from Hansard and newcomer Irglová, Carney has created a sublime, visual album of unassuming and self-assured eloquence."[40] The Telegraph's Sukhdev Sandhu said, "Not since Before Sunset has a romantic film managed to be as touching, funny or as hard to forget as Once. Like Before Sunset, it never outstays its welcome, climaxing on a note of rare charm and unexpectedness."[41]

The film appeared on many North American critics' top ten lists of the best films of 2007:

In 2008, the film placed third on Entertainment Weekly's "25 Best Romantic Movies of the Past 25 Years".[45]

Home media

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Once was released on DVD in the US on 18 December 2007,[46] and in the UK on 25 February 2008,[47] followed by a British Blu-ray release on 16 February 2009.[48] Once was released on Blu-ray in the US as an Amazon exclusive on 1 April 2014.[49]

Soundtrack

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Main article: Once (soundtrack)

The soundtrack album was released on 22 May 2007 in the United States and four days later in Ireland.

A collector's edition of the soundtrack was released on 4 December 2007 in the U.S. with additional songs and a bonus DVD featuring live performances and interviews about the film. The additional songs were two previously unreleased Van Morrison covers: Hansard's "And the Healing Has Begun," and Hansard and Irglová's "Into the Mystic."[50]

Different versions of several of the soundtrack's songs previously were released on The Frames' album The Cost and on Hansard and Irglová's The Swell Season, both released in 2006. An early version of the final track, "Say It to Me Now," originally appeared on The Frames' 1995 album Fitzcarraldo. "All the Way Down" first appeared on the self-titled album from musician collective The Cake Sale, with Gemma Hayes providing vocals. The song "Gold" was written by Irish singer-songwriter Fergus O'Farrell and performed by Interference.[51]

The soundtrack album reached #20 on the Irish Albums Chart in its first week, peaking at #15 a few weeks later. Following the Oscar win, the album reached the top of the chart, while "Falling Slowly" reached a new peak of #2.[52]

As of 11 July 2007, the album had sold 54,753 copies in the United States. The album reached #27 on the Billboard 200 and also reached #2 on the Soundtracks Chart and #4 on the Independent Chart.[53]

Stage adaptation

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Main article: Once (musical)

The film has been adapted for the stage as the musical Once. It first opened at the New York Theatre Workshop on 6 December 2011. The screenplay was adapted by Enda Walsh and the production directed by John Tiffany.[54]

In February 2012, the musical transferred to Broadway's Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre. It began in previews on 28 February 2012 and opened on 18 March 2012.[55] Directed by John Tiffany, the cast features Steve Kazee as Guy and Cristin Milioti as Girl with sets and costumes by Bob Crowley.[56] The music is from the film with two additional songs, and the cast is also the orchestra. The musical opened up to generally positive reviews.[57] Since its opening, Once has been named Best Musical by The Outer Critics' Circle, Drama League, The New York Drama Critics' Circle, and the Tony Awards.

The Broadway production of Once was nominated for a total of 11 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Actor in a Musical (Steve Kazee), Best Actress in a Musical (Cristin Milioti), Best Featured Actress in a Musical (Elizabeth A. Davis) and Best Direction of a Musical.[58] On 10 June 2012, it won eight Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Direction of a Musical, Best Book of a Musical and Best Actor in a Musical.[59]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Once". Cineuropa. Retrieved 21 August 2022.
  2. ^ "Once". British Board of Film Classification.
  3. ^ "Once (2007)". Box Office Mojo.
  4. ^ "Once (2007)". The Numbers. 20 December 2007. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
  5. ^ "Once". Moviezone (in Czech). 10 February 2007. Retrieved 20 December 2012.
  6. ^ Scott, A.O. (16 May 2007). "Some Love Stories Have a Better Ending Than the Altar". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 20 February 2008. Retrieved 21 April 2008.
  7. ^ Faraci, Devin (14 May 2007). "Interview: The Cast and Director of Once". CHUD.com. Archived from the original on 26 May 2007. Retrieved 14 May 2007.
  8. ^ O’Hagan, Sean (11 June 2006). "'I just want to challenge myself with each role'". The Observer. Retrieved 8 August 2006.
  9. ^ a b c "Q&A with The Frames". The Montreal Gazette. 24 April 2007. Archived from the original on 29 September 2007. Retrieved 14 April 2007.
  10. ^ Weisman, Jon (18 July 2007). "'Once' upon a time". Variety. Archived from the original on 15 October 2007. Retrieved 11 August 2007.
  11. ^ "Once – The Little Irish Film That Could". 746books.com. 5 March 2015. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  12. ^ a b "Glen Hansard, Marketa Irglova and John Carney on "Once"". oneguysopinion.com. 11 May 2007. Archived from the original on 20 November 2022. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
  13. ^ Pedersen, Erik (24 August 2007). "Once Is Not Enough: Summer's Secret Smash". E! Online. Archived from the original on 28 February 2008. Retrieved 24 January 2008.
  14. ^ Freedom du Lac, J. (17 February 2008). "Making a Name for Themselves". The Washington Post. Retrieved 21 April 2008.
  15. ^ "'Once' a Hero". Entertainment Weekly. 14 June 2007. Archived from the original on 26 June 2007. Retrieved 21 April 2008.
  16. ^ a b Elder, Bruce (23 January 2009). "Tempting fame". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  17. ^ McKinley. Jr., James C. (22 June 2012). "Former Busker Is Now Back as a Solo". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
  18. ^ Cohen, Jonathan (5 November 2021). "'Once' Duo Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova Plan First Tour Together in 11 Years (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
  19. ^ Graham, Mark (23 March 2009). "The Simpsons Re-creates Once, Temporarily Reunites Glen and Marketa - Slideshow". Vulture. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
  20. ^ Dawtrey, Adam (17 August 2007). "'Once' director remains close to roots". Variety. Archived from the original on 6 September 2007. Retrieved 1 March 2008.
  21. ^ a b "Street sweethearts". The Irish Times. 27 March 2007. Archived from the original on 28 June 2021. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
  22. ^ "May 23, 2007". IndieWire. Archived from the original on 23 August 2007.
  23. ^ "Once (2007)". Box Office Mojo. 20 December 2007. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
  24. ^ Kilday, Gregg (24 February 2008). "Indie Spirits: 'Juno' wins best feature". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 1 March 2008.
  25. ^ Willmore, Alison (23 February 2008). "The Winners of the 2008 Spirit Awards". IFC.com. Archived from the original on 26 February 2008. Retrieved 21 March 2008.
  26. ^ Breznican, Anthony (6 August 2007). "'Once' isn't enough: Film gets marketing push". USA Today. Retrieved 9 August 2007.
  27. ^ a b "The 80th Academy Awards | 2008". Oscars.org. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  28. ^ Hickey, Shane (28 January 2008). "Oscar song gets 'Once' over as its eligibility is questioned". The Irish Independent. Retrieved 28 January 2008.
  29. ^ Carr, David (29 January 2008). ""Once" Again, a Legit Nominee". The New York Times. Retrieved 29 January 2008.
  30. ^ "Critic's Choice Award for Irish Musical 'Once'". IFTN. 9 January 2008. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
  31. ^ Hilton, Beth (10 March 2008). "Sony Ericsson Empire Awards: The Winners". Digital Spy. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
  32. ^ "50th annual Grammy Awards nominations (part II)". Variety. 6 December 2007. Archived from the original on 8 December 2007. Retrieved 10 December 2007.
  33. ^ "JUNO, THE SAVAGES, ONCE Win 6 Indie Spirit Awards". Searchlight Pictures. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
  34. ^ "2007 12th Annual SATELLITE™ Awards". International Press Academy. Archived from the original on 18 February 2009. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
  35. ^ Hennessy, Caroline (22 March 2007). "Once". RTÉ. Archived from the original on 26 March 2007. Retrieved 1 March 2008.
  36. ^ "Once". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 20 December 2012.
  37. ^ "Once". Metacritic. 17 December 2009. Retrieved 20 December 2012.
  38. ^ At the Movies with Ebert & Roeper. 19 May 2007. Disney–ABC Domestic Television. Season 21. Episode 47. "Shrek the Third/Once/Even Money/The Wendell Baker Story/Provoked".
  39. ^ "Making beautiful music together". RogerEbert.com. 24 December 2007. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
  40. ^ Simmons, Amy (16 October 2007). "Once". Time Out London. Retrieved 1 March 2008.
  41. ^ "Film reviews: Rendition and Once". The Telegraph. 19 October 2007. Archived from the original on 19 October 2007. Retrieved 1 March 2008.
  42. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v "Metacritic: 2007 Film Critic Top Ten Lists". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 2 January 2008. Retrieved 5 January 2008.
  43. ^ a b Germain, David; Lemire, Christy (27 December 2007). "'No Country for Old Men' earns nod from AP critics". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 18 June 2008. Retrieved 31 December 2007 – via Columbia Daily Tribune.
  44. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "The 2007 Top Tens: The Critics". MovieCityNews.com. Archived from the original on 3 May 2008. Retrieved 1 May 2008.
  45. ^ "25 Best Romantic Movies of the Past 25 Years – 3. Once". Entertainment Weekly. 16 July 2009. Archived from the original on 21 January 2014. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
  46. ^ "Amazon US: Once (2007)". Amazon. 18 December 2007. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
  47. ^ "Amazon UK: Once (DVD)". Amazon UK. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
  48. ^ "Amazon UK: Once (Blu-ray)". Amazon UK. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
  49. ^ "Amazon US: Once (Blu-ray)". 2014-04-06. April 2014.
  50. ^ "The Frames' discography". Irish Music Central. Archived from the original on 10 December 2007.
  51. ^ "Once: Music from the Motion Picture". AllMusic. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  52. ^ "Top 50 Singles/Top 100 Individual Artist Albums". Irish Recorded Music Association. Archived from the original on 5 November 2012. Retrieved 8 March 2007.
  53. ^ ""Enchanted" tunes dominate Oscar contenders". Reuters. 24 February 2008. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  54. ^ Rooney, David (24 November 2011). "Theater Listings for Nov. 25-Dec. 1". The New York Times. Retrieved 28 November 2011.
  55. ^ "Playbill Vault Entry for 'Once' Broadway Production". Playbill. Archived from the original on 27 February 2016. Retrieved 20 December 2012.
  56. ^ Leiber, Sarah Jae (13 May 2021). "BWW Interview: Markéta Irglová Discusses the Legacy of ONCE, 14 Years Later". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
  57. ^ Jones, Kenneth (18 March 2012). "Once, the Irish-Kissed Musical About "Falling Slowly," Opens on Broadway". Playbill.com. Archived from the original on 20 March 2012. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  58. ^ Sneitker, Mark (1 May 2012). "Tony Awards nominations 2012". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 1 May 2012.
  59. ^ "List of 2012 Tony nominations". The Washington Post. 1 May 2012. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
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