2007 (80th) ACADEMY AWARDS
Award Category:  Music (Original Song)
Song Title:  "Falling Slowly"
Film Title:  Once
Winner(s):  Music and Lyric by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova
Award Presenter(s):  John Travolta

GLEN HANSARD:
Thanks!  Go raibh míle, míle, maith agat.  This is amazing.  What are we doing here?  This is mad.  We made this film two years ago.  We shot it on two Handycams.  It took us three weeks to make.  We made it for a hundred grand.  We never thought we'd ever come into a room like this and be in front of you people.  It's been an amazing thing.  And thanks for taking this film seriously, all of you.  It means a lot to us.  Thanks to the Academy.  Thanks to all the people who've helped us.  They know who they are, we don't need to say them.  This is amazing.  Make art.  Make art.  Thanks.

MARKETA IRGLOVA:
Hi everyone.  I just want to thank you so much.  This is such a big deal, not only for us, but for all other independent musicians and artists that spend most of their time struggling.  And this, the fact that we're standing here tonight, the fact that we're able to hold this, it's just to prove that no matter how far out your dreams are, it's possible and, you know, fair play to those who dare to dream and don't give up.  And this song was written from a perspective of hope, and hope at the end of the day connects us all, no matter how different we are.  And so thank you so much who helped us along the way.  Thank you.

[Ed. note:  Gaelic translation:  "Thanks a million."  Only Mr. Hansard spoke before the music played off the winners and the show went into a commerical break.  Show producer Gil Cates deemed that they were not given their full allotted time and Ms. Irglova was brought back on stage after the commerical break by host Jon Stewart to give her speech.]

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