‘Once’ Musical Cleans Up at 2012 Tony Awards

'Once,' the musical based on the film that launched the careers of Swell Season members Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, was the big winner at the 2012 Tony Awards last night (June 10), taking home an impressive eight awards -- including Best New Musical.

Like the film, the musical includes a score from Hansard and Irglova, who put the band on hiatus last year to pursue solo careers. Irglova's solo debut, 'Anar,' was released last October; Hansard's 'Rhythm and Repose' is due on June 19, but you can listen to it now courtesy of NPR, where the full album is currently streaming.

The musical's six victories -- which also came in the orchestration, sound design, scenic design and lighting categories, as well as nods for actor Steve Kazee, director John Tiffany and playwright Enda Walsh -- beat out a field that included 'Leap of Faith,' 'Nice Work If You Can Get It,' and a musical based on the early '90s film 'Newsies.' The show earned 11 nominations in all.

'Once' premiered at the New York Theater Workshop in December of 2011 before beginning its Broadway run at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre in February 2012. The show's Tony Awards join its Drama League Award for Distinguished Production of a Musical for 2011-12, awarded last month.