Produced by Steve Epstein and Martin Lowe, the album echoes the unique ensemble ethic of the stage musical that bowed Off-Broadway in fall 2011, after a developmental run in Boston.

According to Masterwork Broadway notes, "One of the most unique elements of this musical is that the 13-member cast of the show act, sing and play all of the instruments: there is no orchestra or separate band. A distinctive aspect to the cast album is that it was produced allowing these talented actors/musicians to record the music in the same style and environment as their stage show. This special recording process not only showcases the gorgeous new orchestrations by Martin Lowe, but also captures the live essence of this extraordinary ensemble."

Once is based on the Academy Award-winning film, and includes all of the picture's songs written by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová. The score features the Oscar-winning hit "Falling Slowly," as well as two new songs, "Abandoned in Bandon" and the Czech folk song "Ej Pada Pada Rosicka."

Here's the album's track listing:

The North Strand
Leave
Falling Slowly
The Moon
Ej Pada Pada Rosicka
If You Want Me
Broken Hearted Hoover Fixer Sucker Guy
Say It To Me Now
Abandoned In Bandon
Gold
Sleeping
When Your Mind's Made Up
The Hill
It Cannot Be About That
Gold (A Cappella)
Falling Slowly (Reprise) The Off-Broadway company of the new musical Once gathered Jan. 17 — two days after the show ended its sold-out Off-Broadway run at New York Theatre Workshop in the East Village — to record the cast album of the unique ensemble-driven show based on the hit indie film.

Once is an intimate tale about a Dublin busker called Guy, whose performance and songwriting efforts are encouraged by a Czech musician-muse named Girl. The entire troupe — including Steve Kazee as Guy and Cristin Milioti as Girl — is moving uptown. Once is filled with actor-musicians who play characters, sing together and accompany each other on a range of instruments, creating a rare organic, communal and theatrical experience.

The musical has a book by Enda Walsh (Penelope) and music and lyrics by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, who played the would-be lovers in the film and wrote its songs, including the Academy Award-winning "Falling Slowly. "

The score is orchestrated and arranged by music supervisor Martin Lowe. Expect Guy on guitar, Girl on piano (as in the film) and a supporting cast on mandolin, melodica, banjo, ukulele, harmonica, accordion, bass, drums and many other instruments.

	Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová
	photo by Monica Simoes

The company also includes David Abeles, Will Connolly, Elizabeth Davis, David Patrick Kelly, Anne L. Nathan, Lucas Papaelias, Andy Taylor, Erikka Walsh, Paul Whitty and J. Michael Zygo.

John Tiffany (Black Watch) directs. Movement is by Steven Hoggett (Black Watch, American Idiot).

The set and costume designs are by five-time Tony Award winner Bob Crowley (The Coast of Utopia, Mary Poppins), lighting design is by Tony winner Natasha Katz (Aida, The Coast of Utopia) and sound design is by Clive Goodwin.

Read Playbill's story about the Off-Broadway engagement.

*

The 2007 Academy Award-winning film "Once" was written and directed by John Carney.

Once began performances at NYTW on Nov. 15, 2011, and opened Dec. 6. Prior to that, it played a developmental engagement at the American Repertory Theater, Cambridge, MA, in April 2011.

Once: A New Musical is produced is produced by Barbara Broccoli, John N. Hart Jr., Patrick Milling Smith, Frederick Zollo, Brian Carmody, Michael G. Wilson, Orin Wolf and Executive Producer Robert Cole. Tickets for the Broadway production are now on sale via Telecharge.com or by phone at (212) 239-6200. For more information on the musical, visit www.oncemusical.com.

For more information, visit MasterworksBroadway.com.