TORONTO - Success couldn't have happened to a seemingly nicer, more talented guy than Glen Hansard.

The Irish singer-songwriter-guitarist toiled away in his respected band The Frames for close to 20 years but only became a household name outside of Ireland after starring in the beloved 2007 indie flick Once opposite Czech singer-pianist Margeta Irglova.

In real-life they became a couple - despite an 18 year age difference - won a best song Oscar for Falling Slowly, formed the harmony-heavy indie-folk duo The Swell Season and released an album.

Now the couple, who are no longer dating but are obviously still fond of each other, are touring with The Frames' four other members as their backup band in support of their just released followup disc, Strict Joy, which came out last week.

Playing to a full house at Massey Hall on Tuesday night, Hansard in particular seemed stoked to be in the same room that has hosted singer-songwriter royalty.

"Massey Hall is the stuff of dreams for people overseas," he said.

"Especially for any good Neil Young fan," he added to cheers.

The duo opened the two-hour show rather adorably, just the two of them, down on their knees, and opposite each other - Irglova on a portable keyboard and a toque-wearing Hansard on acoustic guitar - singing Fallen From The Sky.

Eventually, Irglova moved over to the piano for Lies and the new song, In Your Arms, before she and Hansard were joined by the Frames for another new tune, Low Rising, to which Hansard cheekily snuck in a little of Marvin Gaye's Sexual Healing.

It's easy to see why Irish film-maker (and former Frames bassist) John Carney decided to make Hansard his leading man in Once, given his confidence and ease on stage.

Hansard, a charming, funny and passionate perfomer, practically stole the show during a four-song solo set consisting of Leave, Say It To Me Now, Back Broke, and a stellar cover of Van Morrison's Astral Weeks - as he pulled out all the stops, breaking out the big notes, wailing away on his acoustic guitar, and encouraging audience participation.

Irglova had her quieter, more delicate charms too as she took over lead vocals on If You Want Me, and the new songs, Fantasy Man - which she dedicated to to First Nations women after advising fans to check out the Amnesty International stand in the venue - and I Have Loved You Wrong, plus a sweet cover of Nico's The Fairest Of The Seasons on her own during the encore.

In the group setting, song standouts proved to be the new tunes, The Rain, and High Horses, The Moon - during which fans were encouraged to howl - and When Your Mind's Made Up.

But when Hansard and Irglova began Falling Slowly, featuring just the two of them again alone on stage during the encore, it seemed to be the intimate moment everyone has been waiting for, and it didn't disappoint.