The winner of eight 2012 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, “Once” charms with unvarnished sincerity. Called “a play with music,” the understated modern-day love story evolved from the film written and directed by John Carney.

In 2004, Carney was touring in the Czech Republic with bandmate and fellow Irishman Glen Hansard when they met talented young pianist and guitarist Markéta Irglová. Hansard and Irglová formed The Swell Season, and two years later the couple wrote the score for (and starred in) Carney’s film “Once.” Hansard and Irglová are no longer together as a real-life couple, but almost a decade later, The Swell Season still performs in concerts around the globe.

The stage version of “Once” stars Dani de Waal and Stuart Ward. The entire cast sings and plays instruments, and they create a party atmosphere in the theater even before the performance begins. Evoking an Irish pub setting, the “Once” musicians play Irish folk tunes at an onstage bar, which is part of the set. Adult audience members are invited to come onto the stage pre-show and between acts to purchase drinks.