Irish-made independent film, Once was an audience darling at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. Following the generically named Guy and Girl as they meet, create and record music, and begin to feel out a somewhat unlikely relationship, Once has been heralded by some as “the best music film of our generation” and by others as a quality film, but little more than a trumped up music video for the songs sung by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová.

I have not seen the movie yet, but I can say with total conviction that if the film lives up to even an ounce of the feeling and beauty of the soundtrack then it is a major success.

Featuring thirteen tracks played either on acoustic guitar or piano or a lovely combination of the two, Once is a showcase for two people who are musicians first and actors second. You might know Hansard from his work as frontman of Frames. Irglová is less likely to be recognized, but she is a Czech Republic-born songstress with a voice that is airy and tentative and completely endearing. The two have actually collaborated before on The Swell Season, which fans of this soundtrack will also enjoy.

The songs here take you through the journey of the characters in the movie, but unlike most movie musical soundtracks, it doesn’t feel overproduced or contrived. Instead it is a feeling as if you have happened to wander into a coffee shop jam session between a couple of singer/songwriters.

One track in particular is featured in the movie’s trailer and is what will entice music lovers everywhere to pick up this album or rush out to their local theatre to get more. “Falling Slowly” is simplistic in its honesty and pared down guitar. It gives Hansard a chance to lay out his gravelly vocals that remind, at times, of Cat Stevens at his very best. When he and Irglová come together on the chorus, well… brace yourself for that moment that comes along every one hundred songs or so when chills race down your arms and you are moved near to tears.

I can’t yet endorse the movie, but I can most certainly say that the soundtrack is one of the most outstanding that we have seen in the past twenty years. Don’t miss it.