Once (2017) is a charming Irish musical drama about two unnamed musicians, referred to as "Guy" (Glen Hansard) and "Girl" (Markéta Irglová), who meet by chance on the streets of Dublin. Working as a street busker and vacuum cleaner repairman, Guy is intrigued when Czech magazine/flower vendor Girl asks if he will repair her vacuum—before revealing that she, too, is a musician.
After repairing her hoover, the two visit a music store where Girl enjoys playing the piano, and Guy teaches her his song, "Falling Slowly," which they perform together. Soon, they are rehearsing and recording songs in collaboration, with Guy expressing his ongoing heartbreak over a former love through his lyrics. With Girl's encouragement, Guy resolves to follow his ex-girlfriend to London and pursue a musical career abroad. Together, they strive to record a demo of his songs for him to take along, despite the growing affection between them.
Written and directed by Irish filmmaker John Carney (Begin Again, Sing Street), Once is a sincere and indelible depiction of creative collaboration. Hansard and Irglová shine in both their performances and musical delivery—a collaboration that later inspired them to form the folk music duo "The Swell Season". Remarkably touching and ultimately bittersweet, Carney's film is an impactful illustration of transient yet meaningful human connection.
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