Markéta Irglová | |
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 Irglová performing in 2014 | |
| Born | (1988-02-28)28 February 1988 (age 37) |
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| Spouses | |
| Partner | Glen Hansard (2006–2009) |
| Children | 3 |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
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| Instruments |
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| Years active | 2006–present |
| Labels | ANTI- |
| Member of | The Swell Season |
| Website | marketairglovamusic |
Musical artist | |
Markéta Irglová (Czech pronunciation:[ˈmarkɛːtaˈɪrɡlovaː]) (born 28 February 1988) is a Czech-Icelandic singer-songwriter, musician, and actress, who starred in the 2007 filmOnce, which earned her a number of major awards, including theAcademy Award for Best Original Song for "Falling Slowly", with co-writer and co-starGlen Hansard. She is one half of the duothe Swell Season, with whom she has released three studio albums. She has also published four solo records.
Irglová is one half of the duothe Swell Season, withGlen Hansard, which they formed in 2005. They released theireponymous debut album onOvercoat Recordings in 2006. In 2007, they co-starred in theindie filmOnce, for which they also composed the soundtrack. One of the songs, "Falling Slowly", received anAcademy Award for Best Original Song,[1] making Irglová the first Czech person to win that award[2] and the youngest-ever Oscar winner in a non-acting capacity.[3]
The Swell Season released their second album,Strict Joy, in 2009, and two years later, they went on an extended hiatus. In 2011, astage adaptation ofOnce was created byJohn Carney andEnda Walsh, incorporating Irglová and Hansard's songs. It went on to win eightTony Awards and theGrammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album.[4][5]
In 2022, the Swell Season regrouped, and a year later, they embarked on their largest world tour since 2011.[6] In 2025, they issued their third record,Forward.
In 2011, Irglová released her debut solo album,Anar. She followed it withMuna in 2014. In 2022, she issuedLila. That year, she was announced as one of the participants inSöngvakeppnin 2022, the Icelandic national final for theEurovision Song Contest, where she competed with the song "Mögulegt" / "Possible".[7]
In 2023, she was announced as one of five participants inEurovision Song CZ 2023, theCzechia's national final for theEurovision Song Contest.[8] She came in fourth place, with 1,009 points.[9]
In 2024, she released the EPWhere You Belong.
Irglová began taking piano lessons at age seven and started playing guitar when she was eight.[10] Her parents organized a music festival in Czechia and bookedthe Frames, Glen Hansard's band, which is how she first met him, in 2004, at the age of 16.[11][12] Hansard played a large part not only in her development as an artist and songwriter but also in launching her career. They began a romantic relationship during the filming ofOnce[13][14] and broke up in 2009.[15] The aftermath of bothOnce and their relationship is caught in the 2011 documentary filmThe Swell Season.
Irglová was married to Tim Iseler from 2011 to 2012.[16]
In 2012, she moved toReykjavík, Iceland, where she met music producer Sturla Míó Þórisson while recordingAnar. They later married and have three children together.[17] Irglová speaks fluentIcelandic and is adual citizen of Czechia and Iceland.[18][19]
Film
Television
