The starring roles in Once, the little movie that could by writer/director John Carney, stars the Frames' Glen Hansard and Czech singer and songwriter Markéta Irglová. The songs, representing those of the character Guy, and his collaborator Girl, are made up of simple and attractive acoustic pop, full of guitars, piano, a small drum kit and electric bass, with some supplemental instruments. Sung by one, the other, or the pair, they offer a sweet and moving little soundtrack to this quirky film that offers no easy answers and asks plenty of questions. Interestingly enough, Hansard and Irglová are real life musical partners. They recorded an album together in 2006 called Swell Season. Five of these 13 tunes originally appeared on that set issued in the United States on the Overcoat label. For the film, additional recording on the original material and the supplemental songs written specifically for the cinematic project were done in a studio in Ireland. While the film has garnered a sizeable audience for such a small budget project, the soundtrack may have a more difficult time. It's not because the songs are so personal, but because they are so small in and of themselves. Fans of the Frames may score copies, and those who are charmed by the film might like the music enough to be curious, but it's one of those recordings you have to be specifically in the mood for. The wispy nature of much of this material makes for an intimate listen and one that is as skeletal yet elegant as the film itself. [Red Ink's 2007 edition included a bonus DVD.] ~ Thom Jurek, All Music Guide