Bono, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Geldof and Others Honor Glen Hansard as a Musician of Extraordinary Depth and Courage
By Website Content Manager
The music community is remembering Glen Hansard, the acclaimed Irish singer-songwriter, actor and frontman of The Frames.
The music community is mourning the sudden loss of Irish singer-songwriter and actor Glen Hansard, who died at 56 following a motorcycle crash in Dublin.
Hansard, whose latest solo record, Don’t Settle – Transmissions West, arrived last month, leaves behind a remarkable musical legacy. He was best known as the longtime frontman of The Frames and as one half of The Swell Season, his acclaimed folk-rock partnership with Markéta Irglová. He also performed alongside Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder as part of Vedder’s solo touring group, The Earthlings.
News of Hansard’s death prompted an outpouring of tributes from musicians, performers and public figures who remembered him not only for his extraordinary talent but also for his generosity, compassion and commitment to others.
Bono remembered Hansard as someone whose concern for people experiencing homelessness was genuine and deeply personal. He highlighted the singer’s willingness to connect with people living on the streets and his efforts to help address homelessness. Bono also reflected on Hansard’s beginnings as a street performer, suggesting that despite playing some of the world’s biggest stages, the streets remained close to his heart.
Bob Geldof described the loss as devastating, praising Hansard as an exceptionally gifted artist whose work was marked by emotional depth, empathy, fearlessness and passion. He also expressed sympathy for Hansard’s family, Ireland and the wider music community following the tragedy.
Catherine Connolly, President of Ireland, honored Hansard as a major force within Irish music. She praised his ability to bring people together through live performance and said his absence would be deeply felt by those who knew him and those who experienced his music.
Producer Andrew Watt shared memories of spending time with Hansard both onstage and away from performances. From recording studios and dressing rooms to road trips and guitar shops, Watt recalled the many settings where they worked and spent time together. He particularly praised Hansard’s powerful voice and his extraordinary ability to move an audience.
Amanda Palmer remembered Hansard as a fellow street musician and an intensely passionate songwriter and performer. She praised the physicality and emotional force he brought to his live shows, describing him as an artist who gave audiences everything he had and never delivered a half-hearted performance.
Hansard’s career extended well beyond his work with The Frames. His collaboration with Irglová in The Swell Season brought him international recognition, while their song “Falling Slowly” became a defining moment in the 2007 film Once, earning the pair an Academy Award for Best Original Song.
His death has left a significant void in Irish music, with fellow artists remembering a performer whose music, activism and unmistakable stage presence touched audiences far beyond Ireland.