Hundreds of mourners gathered at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin this Tuesday to honor the life and career of musician Glen Hansard. The frontman of The Frames and star of the film Once died on July 29 at age 56 following a motorcycle accident. The service brought together a large crowd of fans alongside notable figures including Bono, Steve Coogan, Hozier, and Chris O’Dowd to pay their respects to the Irish songwriter.
Markéta Irglová and Eddie Vedder provided musical tributes during the service, performing The Song of Good Hope alongside Thomas Bartlett. Hansard’s wife, Maire, spoke to the congregation about their shared life and their young son, expressing gratitude for the public support the family received throughout the week. The ceremony served as both a formal memorial and a communal celebration of the musician's impact on the Irish arts scene.
Family members delivered personal eulogies that highlighted the private character behind the public persona. Richard Hansard spoke about his brother’s role in providing guidance, moral clarity, and inspiration to those close to him. He noted that the community had inherited the best parts of the artist’s spirit through the songs, stories, and connections he fostered during his life.
The service concluded with a final musical tribute from Bono and The Edge, who performed Beautiful Day after sharing a message from Patti Smith. The gathering underscored Hansard’s legacy as a storyteller who connected with audiences both on major stages and within his home community in Dublin. His contributions to film and music, including his Oscar-winning work on Falling Slowly, remain central to his professional reputation.