Once is a movie about a vacuum-repairman-by-day-busker-by-night dude and an odd-jobs-immigrant gal. She approaches him playing the streets one evening, and they form a fast friendship. We follow them through the events of a week in which they grow, learn, and make life-altering decisions. They both learn to look a little outside themselves which, in turn, gives them the confidence and courage to do what needs to be done in each’s own life.

The characters are human and real, playful and serious, sinners and saints. The protagonists are played by Glen Hansard (from The Frames) and Markéta Irglová (a Czech musician/actress) (the album), who performed all the music and wrote their own original songs for the movie. Once plays as it is billed--a modern-day musical--and it is wonderful.

It’s a feel good movie that incorporates some fell-good clichés, but I’m a sucker for ‘em anyway. And I would have hated it if these scenes weren't there: 1) the reaction of the sound engineer to the first recorded song in the recording sessions; 2) the father listening to the recorded tape; 3) the final gift.

Once is an independent film written and directed by John Carney. Rated R for lots of F-bombs.