Music stars and fans gathered in Dublin to honor the late Oscar-winning singer and songwriter Glen Hansard, who died in a motorcycle crash.

Prominent figures from the music industry, including Bono, Eddie Vedder, and Hozier, attended the funeral of Glen Hansard on Tuesday at St Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin. The 56-year-old Oscar-winning Irish singer and songwriter died in a motorcycle crash in the city last week. The service featured musical tributes from friends and family, marking the end of a career that spanned more than three decades.

A Musical Tribute in Dublin

The funeral service included performances by several of Hansard's peers. Former bandmate Colm Mac Con Iomaire brought a guitar to the altar, and Eddie Vedder performed 'The Song of Good Hope' alongside Markéta Irglová, Hansard's former partner and collaborator. Bono recited and sang U2's 'Beautiful Day,' joined by The Edge, while the congregation sang Bob Dylan's 'Forever Young' as the coffin left the cathedral. Hansard's widow, poet Maire Saaritsa, spoke during the service, thanking her late husband for their shared life and their three-year-old son, Christy. Representatives for the President of Ireland and the Taoiseach were also in attendance to pay their respects.

Career and Legacy

Hansard first gained prominence in the 1991 film 'The Commitments' and was the long-time frontman of the rock band The Frames. He achieved international acclaim in 2008, winning an Academy Award for Best Original Song for his work in the film 'Once.' His discography includes six studio albums with The Frames and five solo albums, the most recent being 2023's 'All That Was East Is West Of Me.' Beyond his music, Hansard was recognized for his charitable efforts, particularly his annual Christmas Eve busk in Dublin, which raised funds for the homeless. The event, which he started in 2010, became a significant fixture in the city, drawing high-profile participants such as Sinéad O'Connor and Shane McGowan.