Glen Hansard, long-running folk singer, one half of The Swell Season, vocalist of The Frames, and star of the award-winning Once, has died in a motorbike crash that took place in Dublin. He was 56. The Irish Independent reports:
Academy Award-winning singer-songwriter Glen Hansard has died overnight in a motorcycle crash in Dublin’s Lucan.
The renowned musician was killed in the single-vehicle crash near Strawberry Beds in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Gardaí and emergency services were alerted to the collision on the R109 Lower Road, between Tinkers Hill and Rugged Lane, at 4.30am.
Gardaí confirmed the man received treatment at the scene of the incident and was pronounced dead a short time later.
Glen’s agency released a statement to media, which reads:
With broken hearts, we announce the passing of Glen Hansard who passed away, in the early hours of this morning, following a road traffic accident in Dublin. Glen’s family is deeply shocked and heartbroken by this tragic loss and respectfully requests privacy at this extremely difficult time. The family is grateful for the support they have received and wishes to thank the emergency services who attended the scene. As this matter remains the subject of an active Garda investigation, no further comment will be made at this time.
Glen is married to Finnish poet Maire Saaritsa and their three-year-old son was born in October 2022. Glen just released the live-in-studio album Don+t Settle – Transmissions West earlier this year.
Bono posted a lengthy tribute, which reads:
Sometimes I would wonder if Glen Hansard really existed….
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…
Of course, Glen was the shining star of the Christmas Eve busk… sometimes the only one reminding the rest of us that Christmas began with a refugee born in a manger, which is hardly a step from living on the street.
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. 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.
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.
….and I’m telling myself this morning that if he never existed, then he can never cease to exist. For me, he will always be everywhere I see a coin spinning into an open guitar case.
May you rest in the peace you gave to so many.
Bono
Bruce Springsteen wrote, “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. Bruce.”
A tribute also came in from Cat Power, who said, “Too soon. In bonds of affection, you are tethered to our hearts forever. I ache for your beautiful family, Ed, Mike, & Oli.”
The Mountain Goats said, “Oh, my God. Nicest guy. Was on the Pogues bill at Carnegie with him. His love of music was palpable, infectious, radiant. I’ve seldom seen a musician as connected to the moment of the song as he was that night, in deep communion with the song & the people playing it. So many felt it. Hard loss.”
Sharon Van Etten wrote “So sad to hear the news this morning. Such a light. A beautiful soul. In it for all the right reasons” in an Instagram story.
Ben Stiller said, “Glen Hansard was a brilliant artist. And a kind man. Sending love to his family.”
Eddie Vedder’s daughter Olivia Vedder posted a tribute in which she called Glen “an uncle, collaborator, friend, bonus dad, and favorite singer.”
Rest in peace, Glen. Your many, many contributions to music and culture in general will not be forgotten.