Once, musical adaptation of 2007 Academy Award-winning film, aims for Broadway

Multi-Tony Award winning theater and Academy Award nominated film producers John N. Hart, Jr, Jeff Sine and Fred Zollo have acquired the North American and worldwide live theater rights to Once, the 2007 Academy Award-winning film.

Once, was written and directed by John Carney, and starred Glen Hansard and Mark�ta Irglov�, with original music and lyrics by Mr. Hansard and Ms. Irglov�.

The creative team for the theatrical musical adaptation of Once will be announced shortly, with the aim for the production to bow on Broadway during the 2010/2011 season.

"In a landscape where the American musical must evolve, Once provides a wonderful, unique opportunity," said producer John Hart. "Those of us who fell in love with it and it's score at the movie theater came out singing, and will do so again when it finds its way to the stage."

"The film was shot modestly, on a shoe-string budget and managed to capture the hearts of fans around the world, wildly exceeding all critical and box office expectations. It did so, because it invited its audience into the process of artists making music and did not stoop to melodrama," affirmed producer Fred Zollo.

Once is a modern day musical set on the streets of Dublin about a street musician and a Czech immigrant. During an eventful week the two meet, begin writing songs together, rehearse and record their songs to take to London in hopes of landing a music contract. Through the music they write, the duo works through their past loves, and are confronted with their new feelings for each other.

Once writer/director John Carney asked Glen Hansard, his bandmate from the popular Irish Rock band The Frames, to share his busker anecdotes as well as compose songs for a film he was working on about street musicians. When the lead actor withdrew from the project, Glen stepped into the role opposite first time actress Mark�ta Irglov�. The independent Irish film was made for under $150,000, was shot in 17 days, and went on to gross over $10,000,000, becoming a critically acclaimed international smash.

Glen and Mark�ta won the 2007 Academy Award for Best Original song for "Falling Slowly," the Los Angeles Film Critics Award for Best Music, and the soundtrack was nominated for two Grammy Awards. The duo has been on a highly successful worldwide tour performing music from the platinum selling film soundtrack.