That act was formed during the gestation of the movie Once, where Hansard and Irglová played characters seemingly not unlike themselves: musicians falling in love. In the process, Hansard became integral to the production of one of the best musicals of the 2000s. Initially, Carney asked Hansard to write songs for the film and provide some input related to his own busking experience. At the time, movie musicals were undergoing a comeback at the U.S. box office: Moulin Rouge! The audience hears the music and lyrics synced together, further blurring the lines between handmade movie musical and real life.