The Swell Season is comprised of Glen Hansard (from the Irish band, The Frames) and Markéta Irglová classically trained Czech pianist and vocalist) and take the name from the book of the same name by Czech novelist, Josef Skvorecky.
While working together on the film Once, Hansard and Irglová christened their musical collaboration The Swell Season and went on to win an Academy Award for Best Original Song for the song, “Falling Slowly”. Once was later turned into a TONY award-winning musical for which the two contributed and actively participated in. The Swell Season has released three full-length records with plans to begin work on a fourth in the near future.
Musicians that have appeared on their albums and accompanied them on tour include: Marja Tuhkanen (violin), Bertrand Galen (cello), John Carney (bass guitar), Thomas Bartlett (keyboard), Joseph Doyle (bass guitar), Colm Mac Con Iomaire (violin), Rob Bochnik (guitar), Graham Hopkins (drums), Javier Mas (guitar), Chad Taylor (drums), Steven Bernstein (horns), and Clark Gayton (horns).