I haven't blogged about movies in a long time, partly because we rarely go to cinema anymore due to the high ticket prices in London ($18), but mainly because the majority of movies churned out by Hollywood these days are absolutely rubbish, rehashed sequels, or both.

But every now and then, a film comes along that takes my breath away. A film so simple yet beautiful that it fills us with wonder, emotion, tears and joy. This year, that film is "Once."

"Once," opening this Friday in the UK, has already become a sleeper hit in the United States. The Irish indie follows a week in the life of a Dublin street musician (Glen Hansard) and a Czech piano-playing flower vendor (Marketa Irglova). "Once" is part romantic drama, part music video, sprinkled with comedy and

The story behind the story is just as amazing. For startars, neither Hansard nor Irglova have any acting experience; Hansard, 38, is a musician with the Irish band The Frames.  Irglova is just 19, a musical prodigy with an amazing voice. (Hansard and Irglova are now dating in real life!)   The film, directed by former Frames member John Carney, was shot for $80,000 and has already grossed $8 million from just a handful of U.S. theaters.

"Once" has already won awards at the Sundance Film Festival, Dublin international Film Festival. Last week, it picked up the Best International Feature at the UK's Raindance indie film fest.  The film's soundtrack has sold 250,000 copies around the world. It has a 97% positive "fresh" rating on Rottentomatoes.com, a compilation of film reviews from around the globe.

Blushing Whale turned me on to this film. Last Tuesday, he managed to snag tickets to a filming of the BBC Culture Show, a variety music show that featured an interview and performance by Hansard and Irglova (who perform as The Swell Season).  Glen even recognized Blushing Whale from their earlier performance in Washington, D.C.! 

But the highlight of the week came Friday. Mr. Crab, Mrs. Crab. Blushing Whale and his pal "Miss L.A." managed to score four tickets to see a FREE advance screening of "Once" at the historic Screen on the Green cinema in Angel-Islington, followed by a live Q&A and performance by the stars.

When the credits began rolling, there were a few seconds of stunned silence and tears of joy before the packed house erupted in thunderous applause and contined clapping and whistling for a good five or six minutes straight until Hansard and Irglova appeared from backstage.  They answered a few audience questions, including one from Blushing Whale, and performed a few memorable tunes from the film including "Falling Slowly" and "WHEN Your Mind's Made Up." (see video above). The duo stayed and signed autographs and posed for photos.

Outside, the four of us were standing under the neon marquee, digesting the movie and catching our breath when Glen Hansard walked out with his group of pals. We ended up chatting with Hansard privately for a good 15 minutes!  He's genuinely a nice, honest, down-to-Earth guy.  We wished him well on the road to the Academy Awards, where it will surely be nominated at least for best song. 

"Once" is the best film of 2007, bar none. "Once" reminds us that filmmaking is still an art form, and you don't need $100 million budgets or high-maintenance stars to create a masterpiece. Just a good old fashioned story with honest characters and real people.

See "Once," again and once again.