- During the filming of the opening scene, because the scene was shot with long lenses placing the crew far away, and without informing the public, who would be crossing through the scene, a bystander attempting to be a hero accidentally injured the thief as he was running away by kneeing him in the groin.
- The director and cast were suffering from "South Park" (1997) withdrawal during filming and thus one of the characters, a session musician, was named "Timmy" - this is obvious as they depart the studio.
- The "look" of Dublin in the film is a call-back to John Carney's and Glen Hansard's recollection of Dublin 10-15 years prior to the film's making - a more working class city.
- John Carney was previously a member of The Frames, the band led by Glen Hansard.
- The story is partially autobiographical as John Carney lived in Dublin and maintained a long distance relationship with his girlfriend living in London
- The flashback footage of Guy's girlfriend is actually that of director John Carney's girlfriend.
- Glen Hansard's mother plays a cameo as one of the singers during the party.
- Cillian Murphy was, at one stage cast in the lead role, but pulled out.
- The featured motorcycle is a 1966 650cc Triumph 6T Thunderbird, the same model as Marlon Brando's motorcycle in The Wild One (1953).
- The song "Broken Hearted Hoover Fixer Sucker Guy" was filmed during a spontaneous moment during filming. It was never meant to make it into the film but the director liked it so much he kept it in much to the amusement of Glen Hansard who plays "The Guy".
- Shot in 17 days.
- Bob Dylan was such a big fan of the film that he arranged to have the two leads, Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, open for him on part of his world tour. Hansard and Irglová also covered Dylan's song "You Ain't Goin' Nowhere" for the I'm Not There. (2007).
- The title refers to the many very talented artists that John Carney knew who put off their career by saying "once" they get this and that sorted out, but never succeed because they've put it off too long. This describes the lead character, The Guy.
- Both Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová have stated that they're unlikely to ever act again and will concentrate on music.
>>> WARNING: Here Be Spoilers <<<
Trivia items below here contain information that may give away important plot points. You may not want to read any further if you've not already seen this title.
- SPOILER: There is a moment when the guy asks the girl whether she loves her husband. She responds, "No. I love you." However, her response is in unsubtitled Czech, so the man does not understand her - nor do audience members who don't know the language.
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