College Times

Media Credit: Jonathan Alcorn

The Swell Season has a somewhat confusing history. The Swell Season was originally the title of a 2006 album by Frames lead singer Glen Hansard and Czech singer/pianist Marketa Irglová. After the two appeared (to much critical acclaim) in the 2007 film “Once,” the duo adopted The Swell Season as their touring name.

“Once” was one of 2007’s most charming and surprising indie films. The film followed the story of an unnamed street musician and his friendship with a young Czech singer/pianist.

Although technically a musical, the film mostly limited the musical performances to realistic settings such as recording studios and music shops, avoiding the irritating musical cliché of actors inexplicably breaking into song for no other reason than the fact that they’re in a musical.

The onscreen chemistry between the two first-time actors was undeniable, and “Once” became an international hit.

Hansard and Irglová ultimately won an Academy Award for “Falling Slowly,” one of the many tracks originally written for the 2006 album and later used in the film.

In one of the Oscar broadcast’s more memorable moments, host Jon Stewart invited a clearly overwhelmed Irglová back to the stage after she had been cut off by the orchestra music during her acceptance speech.

If you’re lucky enough to have tickets to the sold-out show at the Orpheum, you’re probably in for a memorable performance.

The Swell Season, Orpheum Theatre, 203 W. Adams Street, Phoenix, 602.266.7464, April 23, 7:30 p.m., $30 (sold out)

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