The Swell Season was formed as a result of a collaboration between Glen Hansard, Markéta Irglová, Bertrand Galen and Marja Tuhkanen when they recorded the album The Swell Season (released in April 2006). in April/May 2006, the quartet played six shows in Ireland to support the release of The Swell Season. Later in the year (October & December) they also played a number of shows in the US to support the release of the album there.