Schengen visa for holder of Irish Stamp 4 (not Stamp 4 EUFAM

I am visa required national, living in Ireland and holder Irish stamp 4 residence permit as spouse of Irish national (not 4EUFam).

Based on what I know, if I visit a Schengen country with my spouse I will need to apply for visa but it will be free of charge.

However, if I travel alone, can I apply for Schengen visa free of charge as well? (Based on France embassy website in Ireland I will need to apply for the standard tourist visa, if I am not accompanying an EU spouse).

Any experience in this situation - Irish stamp 4 holder travelling without the EU spouse to Schengen country?

A tourist visa is not free of charge.
Precondition for a free visa for a family member of a eu citizen is to accompany or join the eu citizen.