Beloved Irish songwriter Glen Hansarddied in a motorcycle crash in Dublin at age 56 on Wednesday, July 29th. The news of his passing has inspired a flood of social media tributes, with politicians, musicians, and actors alike remembering The Frames frontman and star of Once.
President of Ireland Catherine Connolly shared a statement calling Hansard one of the country’s “great singer-songwriters,” describing his band The Frames as “one of the leaders of the thriving wave of Irish bands who emerged in the 1990s and were the source of so much inspiration to a generation of young people and musicians.”
Connolly continued,
“Whether with the Frames, with [The Swell Season bandmate] Markéta [Irglová], or as a solo artist, Glen was renowned for his incomparable live performances, beautiful evenings of music where Glen would regale audiences with stories as well as his music, along with that of many of those who had touched his life over the decades.
Glen will also be remembered for the generosity with which he shared his fame, providing encouragement to young musicians and performers, while working to assist with important causes, in particular those suffering from homelessness, with his annual Christmas Eve busk in Dublin’s city centre one of the highlights of the Christmas period.”
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Former president Michael D Higgins remembered Hansard as “a wonderful musician and performer, a troubadour whose gift for storytelling brought so much joy to audiences across the world” and also praised the singer for his work with the homeless.
“Sometimes I would wonder if Glen Hansard really existed,”U2’s Bono wrote in a lengthy statement. “Seriously, he was such an angelic presence… not otherworldly…in fact, very present this presence… A smiling rascal if you needed him to be… this most musical and mischievous archangel of Ballymun… no airs, plenty of graces…”
Bono continued, “To be utterly yourself by being more interested in others – a clue for any of us trying out different personas. He really was who you thought he was. He could never walk by a person living rough without checking they were OK… and more than that, he worked very hard so that less people had to live on the streets in the first place.”
“When the crowds got bigger and for safety’s sake Glen had to agree to move the busk to a stage kindly provided outside The Gaiety Theatre, he would say ‘we’ll give it our best but it’s not a busk if we’re not on the street!’ …because that’s who he was – a performer at eye level in any situation,” he added. “The stage was a separation he wouldn’t recognize. Of all the grand and gigantic venues he and The Frames played, you sensed the street was his most favoured place to perform. And street people, his favourite audience.”
He concluded, “Voice of the streets. A choir of angels in one man. The rest of us blessed to stand there beside our very own and very earthed Angel Gabriel… All of us welcome in his choir, whatever shape or form.”
Bruce Springsteen posted an Instagram statement, which reads, “Here on E Street, we are heartbroken over the death of Glen Hansard. We met in Ireland many years ago, and he was always nothing but a great musician, a good friend and a generous and gracious man. Always positive, smiling, and ready to sing. God bless him and his loved ones.”
Hansard’s band The Frames honored him in an Instagram post, writing, “Glenn was a force of nature, a troubadour from a different time. He had that unique ability – to bring people together – that was his medicine, his great gift… He was princely man, a warm and generous human who was always inclined to bring the stranger in from the street and share the stage with them.”
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds member Warren Ellis wrote on Instagram, “I can’t believe it, Glen. You were a good man and loyal friend. Traveling overnight to see Dirty Three in Boston recently. Always above and beyond. And always about the music, the blah blah, the dogs, and the meaning of it all. Sending my love to your family, bandmates, and friends. Heartbreaking.”
West Side Story andSnow White star Rachel Zegler, who joined Hansard on stage in New York City for a performance of his Oscar-winning “Falling Slowly” this past April, shared an Instagram carousel of her best memories. In the caption, she wrote, “Oh, I will love you forever. Rest now, my friend.”
The Waterboys singer wrote on X/Twitter: “Just heard that Glen Hansard has died. Travel on well, Buddy. You made your dreams come true. I’m so sorry that he leaves his wife and 3-year-old child.”
Olivia Vedder, daughter of Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder, called Hansard “an uncle, collaborator, friend, bonus dad, and favorite singer.”
See more tributes below. We will continue updating this post as more reactions come in.
Just heard that Glen Hansard has died. Travel on well, Buddy. You made your dreams come true. I’m so sorry that he leaves his wife and 3-year-old child.
— Mike Scott (@MickPuck) July 29, 2026
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