Figures from across the music world – among them U2‘s Bono, Pearl Jam‘s Eddie Vedder, Markéta Irglová, and more – attended the funeral of Glen Hansard today (August 4), performing a selection of songs in his memory.
Hansard, the Oscar-winning Once star also known as the frontman of The Frames and one half of The Swell Season, died following a motorcycle crash in Dublin last Wednesday (July 29). He was 56 years old.
His funeral was held in St Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin, and featured musical performances from the late musician and activists’ friends and family. Hozier, The Edge, Steve Coogan, Imelda May, Paddy Casey, Declan O’Rourke, and Angeline Ball, who starred alongside Hansard in The Commitments, were among those paying their respects.
At the start of the service, a guitar was brought up to the altar by former Frames member Colm Mac Con Iomaire, who went on to perform a song for those gathered alongside Liam Ó Maonlaí.
Vedder went on to join Hansard’s longtime collaborator Irglová and members of The Frames for a performance of ‘The Song of Good Hope’ in tribute to the late musician. He and Irglova released three albums as The Swell Season, while Hansard also collaborated frequently with Vedder – regularly opening for him and contributing to his second solo album, ‘Ukulele Songs’.
The late Hansard was also close to Vedder’s daughter, Olivia, who referred to him as “an uncle, collaborator, friend, bonus dad, and favorite singer” in a tribute shared to social media. Hansard had joined her and Vedder for a Teenage Cancer Trust set back in 2024.
Bono also performed a spoken word version of U2’s ‘A Beautiful Day’ at the service, reworking some of the lyrics to pay homage to him: “You write your life until the story becomes true.”
Flanked by guitarist The Edge, he urged the congregation to sing as the track drew to a close, and paid homage to his friendship. “People on the green outside, best friends. People tuning in, best friends. Even people who haven’t met him, best friends.
“Everyone who met him, they just remember the day they met him.”
He played a message Patti Smith left him on the day Hansard died, with a song she sang for his family. “It’s a lullaby for Glen’s family and friends,” Bono said. “She was happy to share it.”
Lisa O’Neill also paid tribute to Hansard at own service with a moving rendition of ‘Old Note’, which she performed less than three years after performing alongside Hansard at Shane MacGowan’s funeral.
Traditional Irish music was woven throughout the ceremony, with the service opening with ‘Críost Liom’, ‘Port na bPúcaí’ and ‘The Auld Triangle’. The latter was often performed by Hansard, and rang out as mourners left the cathedral in a communal fashion.
At the end of the service, the coffin left the church to a musical send-off, with mourners inside the building continuing to sing along to a rendition of Bob Dylan’s ‘Forever Young’ performed by Liam Ó Maonlaí of Hothouse Flowers, Vedder, Bono, and more.
Many fans also paid their respects at a public wake in the city on Monday (August 3), with Hansard’s family asking that, in lieu of flowers or gifts, mourners make donations to the Dublin Simon Community or Ukrainian Action. Hansard was a longstanding supporter of the former organisation, helping organise their annual Christmas Eve busking event in Dublin.
He started the annual event in 2010, which attracted high-profile musicians including Sinéad O’Connor and McGowan. Hansard himself had started his career as a busker on the streets of Dublin before forming The Frames.
He later formed The Swell Season with Irglová, and the pair won the Oscar for Best Original Song in 2008 for ‘Falling Slowly’, which featured in John Carney’s acclaimed musical drama Once, in which Hansard and Irglová both starred.
Footage emerged this week of Hansard’s final live performance, which took place at The Wren’s Nest pub in Chapelizod just hours before his death. He also spoke recently on his powerful friendship with Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder.
Tributes have been shared by figures including Bruce Springsteen, Warren Ellis, Rachel Zegler and former Irish President Michael D. Higgins. Barack Obama also included Hansard on his annual summer playlist, while Billie Eilish and Finneas’ mother Maggie Baird said her children “would not be who they are” without his music.
