RCA Label Group imprint Phonogenic, the band released their debut album of the same name in August 2008.
The Script released their debut single "We Cry" on 14 April 2008. "We Cry" received "Single of the Week" on RTÉ 2FM, Today FM and by Jo Whiley on BBC Radio 1, where many radio presenters heavily supported the band. The single peaked at number 15 on the UK Singles Chart, giving the band their first top 20 single.
Their second single, "The Man Who Can't Be Moved", was released on 25 July 2008. The single achieved high peak positions in most European countries, reaching number 2 in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Denmark. The band released their debut album, The Script, on the 11 August 2008.
The band's third single, "Breakeven", was released in Ireland on 21 November 2008 and in the UK on 24 November 2008. The single was a slow burner on the Irish Singles Chart. After entering the chart at number forty nine, it spent ten weeks before entering the top ten at number ten giving the Script their third top ten single in Ireland. The single has, to date, spent thirteen weeks on the UK Singles Chart, peaking at number 23.
On 9 November The Script received an award at the World Music Awards for 'Best Selling Irish Act' of 2008. On 2 December 2009 the band's single "The Man Who Can't Be Moved" was featured as a remix with another song on the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show during the Enchanted Forest segment. On 19 February 2010, they won Best Live Performance at the 2010 Meteor Ireland Music Awards.