Thousands of people have attended a public wake for singer-songwriter Glen Hansard, who died last Wednesday, aged 56.
Hansard died after a motorcycle crash on the outskirts of Dublin just hours after taking part in a trad session at The Wren’s Nest pub.
On Monday, the Oscar winner’s body lay in repose at the Baroque Chapel in the Irish Museum of Modern Arts, Royal Hospital Kilmainham in Dublin, this ahead of his funeral on Tuesday.
Born in Ballymun in Dublin in 1970 Hansard was known for busking on the streets of Dublin before forming The Frames. He went on to release six studio albums with the band, four of which reached the top ten of the Irish album charts. Hansard also starred in Alan Parker’s 1991 film The Commitments. He won an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2008 with Marketa Irglova for the song "Falling Slowly" for the film Once.
He was married to Finnish poet Maire Saaritsa and had a three-year-old son.
Hansard died in a single-vehicle crash (his motorbike) on Lower Road in Lucan around 4.30 in the morning last Wednesday, July 29.
“The family is grateful for the support they have received and wishes to thank the emergency services who attended the scene,” ATC Management, who represented the musician, said in a statement.
Posting on Instagram, Bruce Springsteen said: “Here on E Street, we are heartbroken over the death of Glen Hansard.” He added that he was “always positive, smiling and ready to sing. God bless him and his loved ones.”
Ed Sheeran said: “He was such an incredible human, an incredible force. I am grateful for the times we shared together, sending so much love to his family.”
Glen Hansard’s funeral will take place on Tuesday at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin.
