Earlier this week, the Broadway musical "Once" took home eight Tony Awards. A few nights later, Glen Hansard - who starred in the film version in 2006 and wrote some of its most memorable music - brought down the house on a much smaller stage in SoHo with the help of a very special guest. NY1's Stephanie Simon filed the following report.

The concert started late but Glen Hansard was easily forgiven when he revealed he was downstairs writing a new song which he sang from his notes.

Hansard was at home playing a small fundraising concert recently at the Housing Works Bookstore in SoHo despite his ever growing success. The former street musician is the leader of the Irish band The Frames. And he starred in the 90's film "The Commitments".

But of course these days he is best known for starring in and writing the music for the 2006 film "Once" along with co-star and one time girlfriend Markéta Irglová.

Together they wrote the Academy Award winning song "Falling Slowly".

"You know, with Falling Slowly, there was a kind of a magic around it," recalls Hansard.

Glen and Marketa also perform as the duo The Swell Season. And it has been a swell season. The Broadway musical "Once" took home eight Tony awards.

"When we went to opening night, myself and Mar, afterwards we were like, 'It's their's now.' There was a real sense of like passing something on," says Hansard.

And for fans wondering if Glen and Marketa are still close, well, "Mar" made a surprise appearance.

"The thing that I've always enjoyed about playing and singing with Glen is that it's always been very spontaneous and kind of based in the moment, you know?" says Irglová. "Today, he texted me saying, 'I'm playing this show, do you want to come sing a song or two?'"

As for those other Irish rockers with a Broadway musical that did not win any Tony awards, Hansard got plenty of Love from Spiderman's composer, Bono.

He's been the guy texting me going, come on, come on Ireland,

Now, Hansard's taking his old fashioned Irish storytelling and compelling sound on tour in support of his new album Rhythm and Repose. He'll make a stop at the Beacon Theater June 29.