Tributes from across the globe are pouring in for Glen Hansard. The beloved singer-songwriter died in a motorcycle accident in Dublin on Wednesday, July 29. He was 56. Bono, Bruce Springsteen, Wilco’s Nels Cline, Ed Sheeran, Rachel Zegler, Finneas, and many more took to their social media accounts to sing his praises following his sudden and tragic death.
Hansard was an Irish singer-songwriter who achieved international fame in the 2007 movie Once, where he wrote and performed “Falling Slowly” alongside his costar Markéta Irglová; the song won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. The duo performed as the Swell Season, recently reuniting in 2025 for their first album in 16 years. He also founded the highly influential Irish rock band the Frames in 1990.
U2’s Bono penned a moving tribute to Hansard, commending his contributions to busking and street performing. “[Glen] was such an angelic presence,” he wrote on U2’s Instagram. “A smiling rascal if you needed him to be… this most musical and mischievous archangel of Ballymun… no airs, plenty of graces…”
Bono continued: “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 … 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 … For me, he will always be everywhere I see a coin spinning into an open guitar case.”
Bruce Springsteen also paid his respects to Hansard. “Here on E Street, we are heartbroken over the death of Glen Hansard,” he wrote on Instagram. “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.”
Producer Andrew Watt expressed gratitude for the time he shared with Hansard. “You will never be forgotten,” he said. “How lucky was I to spend as much time both on and off the stage with you?…studios, dressing rooms, bathroom floors, long car rides, guitar stores…your ability to move people with that bellowing Irish tenor of yours is unparalleled.”
Similarly, Finneas sung Hansard’s praises and discussed his congeniality. “The first song I ever got on a stage to perform was ‘Falling Slowly’ when I was 11,” he said, calling him his North Star of singer-songwriters. “His songs made me want to write songs and they also made me cry. When our family met him in Dublin in 2019, he greeted us like old friends even though we were just his fans.”
John Darnielle of the Mountain Goats wrote about the time he met Hansard when they both played a benefit show at Carnegie Hall honoring the late Sinéad O’Connor and Shane MacGowan in 2024. “His love of music was palpable, infectious, radiant,” he said on Bluesky. “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.”
Theater and screen actress Rachel Zegler posted a series of photos with Hansard; she sung “Falling Slowly” with him at a concert. “I am beside myself,” she said in an Instagram Story. “Glen brought [pianist] Thomas [Bartlett] into my life … thus my life is better and I am forever grateful.” Bartlett, who makes music as Doveman, noted an massive feeling of loss and said they were supposed to make new music together in the imminent future. “I was his little ruin, and he was one of the dearest friends I will ever have,” he wrote.
Lin-Manuel Miranda called Hansard a “once in a lifetime” artist. “Grateful for the music we got. Greedy for more,” he wrote. “Heartbroken for his son and family and loved ones.”
Ed Sheeran called Hansard “an incredible human,” while Cat Power and Sharon Van Etten sent their condolences to his family following his tragic death. “Rest easy brother,” wrote Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Flea.
Wilco guitarist Nels Cline noted that he was working with Hansard on a new record months before his death. “I only met Glen Hansard a few months ago working on what will at some point be a new record by him. It was a marvelous experience, and I had the feeling that we would be collaborating or at least running into each other in the years ahead,” he wrote. “I’m pretty sure everyone who came into contact with this man felt his warmth, passion, and massive talent. I sure did.”
Dirty Three and Bad Seeds musician Warren Ellis poured one out for his “loyal friend” noting how Hansard paid for his ticket to a recent Dirty Three show in Boston despite being on the guest list. “Sending my love to your family and band mates and friends,” he said on Instagram.
Lukas Nelson referred to Hansard as his “soul brother.” “I’m so grateful to say that the understanding between us left nothing unsaid,” he said. “It was just a few months ago we were talking about meeting up in Ireland and playing in his favorite little pub out there. My heart is broken, I hope to chat soon in dreams, Glen.”
Irish comedian Chris O’Dowd praised Hansard for his music. “I recently encountered a Basquiat quote… ‘Art is how we decorate Space & Music is how we decorate time’. Glen was an incredible decorator of our time,” he said. “His energising Melodies and soulful, searching voice made the tough times more manageable, the stagnant times more beautiful, and the joyful times even more memorable … Thanks Glen. Huge love to Maire and little Christy and all those who loved him.”
