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Eddie Vedder Busks on Dublins Grafton Street in Tribute to Late Irish Singer Glen Hansard
Glen Hansard, the Irish singer‑songwriter who won an Academy Award for the song "Falling Slowly," died on July 29, 2026 after a motorcycle crash near Lucan. The 56‑year‑old was a founding member of the Frames and the folk‑rock duo The Swell Season, and he had been a prominent figure in Irish music for more than three decades.
In the days after the death, a wake was held at the BIMM music school in Dublin, where Hansard’s guitar—known for its distinctive second hole—was displayed. The public wake was followed by a funeral service at St Patrick’s Cathedral on August 4. The ceremony featured performances by close friends and collaborators, including Markéta Irglová and members of the Frames. The service was attended by a wide range of musicians, politicians and fans.
Shortly after the funeral, Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder appeared on Dublin’s Grafton Street—the same street where Hansard began busking as a teenager. Vedder, who had been a friend of Hansard for many years, organized a small, late‑night performance around 3 a.m. The set included Pearl Jam’s "Black" and Bruce Springsteen’s "Drive All Night," as reported by Rolling Stone. Vedder also performed Hansard’s "The Song of Good Hope" with Irglová and other musicians.
Bono joined the tribute later that night, singing a reworked version of his own "Beautiful Day" and participating in a group rendition of Bob Dylan’s "Forever Young." The gathering was described by the Irish broadcaster RTE as a "moving tribute" that highlighted Hansard’s ability to connect with people.
Scottish singer Murdo Mitchell, who had only one guitar for the performance, said on Instagram that he had organized the busking as "the right thing to do." He shared clips of the impromptu set, which were also photographed by Danny Clinch, a longtime collaborator of Vedder.
The tribute on Grafton Street was part of a broader outpouring of respect that included social‑media posts, fan vigils, and statements from the Irish government. Taoiseach Micheál Martin called Hansard a major contributor to Ireland’s cultural landscape.
Hansard’s death was confirmed by his management after the motorcycle accident on July 29. The crash was a single‑vehicle incident at the Strawberry Beds on the outskirts of Dublin. The incident was reported by Irish police and covered by national media.
The memorial events underscored Hansard’s influence on both Irish and international music. His work with the Frames produced six studio albums, four of which reached the top ten of the Irish Albums Chart. His solo albums, including "Rhythm and Repose" (2012) and "Didn't He Ramble" (2015), received critical acclaim and a Grammy nomination for Best Folk Album.
The tribute on Grafton Street, the funeral at St Patrick’s Cathedral, and the wake at BIMM collectively reflected the deep respect that the music community has for Hansard. The performances by Vedder, Bono, and others served as a public acknowledgment of his legacy.
As of now, no further public events have been scheduled in Hansard’s honor. The Irish music community continues to observe his legacy through ongoing tributes and the preservation of his recordings.
The events demonstrate how a musician’s life can inspire spontaneous acts of remembrance that resonate across national borders and genres.
In the days after the death, a wake was held at the BIMM music school in Dublin, where Hansard’s guitar—known for its distinctive second hole—was displayed. The public wake was followed by a funeral service at St Patrick’s Cathedral on August 4. The ceremony featured performances by close friends and collaborators, including Markéta Irglová and members of the Frames. The service was attended by a wide range of musicians, politicians and fans.
Shortly after the funeral, Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder appeared on Dublin’s Grafton Street—the same street where Hansard began busking as a teenager. Vedder, who had been a friend of Hansard for many years, organized a small, late‑night performance around 3 a.m. The set included Pearl Jam’s "Black" and Bruce Springsteen’s "Drive All Night," as reported by Rolling Stone. Vedder also performed Hansard’s "The Song of Good Hope" with Irglová and other musicians.
Bono joined the tribute later that night, singing a reworked version of his own "Beautiful Day" and participating in a group rendition of Bob Dylan’s "Forever Young." The gathering was described by the Irish broadcaster RTE as a "moving tribute" that highlighted Hansard’s ability to connect with people.
Scottish singer Murdo Mitchell, who had only one guitar for the performance, said on Instagram that he had organized the busking as "the right thing to do." He shared clips of the impromptu set, which were also photographed by Danny Clinch, a longtime collaborator of Vedder.
The tribute on Grafton Street was part of a broader outpouring of respect that included social‑media posts, fan vigils, and statements from the Irish government. Taoiseach Micheál Martin called Hansard a major contributor to Ireland’s cultural landscape.
Hansard’s death was confirmed by his management after the motorcycle accident on July 29. The crash was a single‑vehicle incident at the Strawberry Beds on the outskirts of Dublin. The incident was reported by Irish police and covered by national media.
The memorial events underscored Hansard’s influence on both Irish and international music. His work with the Frames produced six studio albums, four of which reached the top ten of the Irish Albums Chart. His solo albums, including "Rhythm and Repose" (2012) and "Didn't He Ramble" (2015), received critical acclaim and a Grammy nomination for Best Folk Album.
The tribute on Grafton Street, the funeral at St Patrick’s Cathedral, and the wake at BIMM collectively reflected the deep respect that the music community has for Hansard. The performances by Vedder, Bono, and others served as a public acknowledgment of his legacy.
As of now, no further public events have been scheduled in Hansard’s honor. The Irish music community continues to observe his legacy through ongoing tributes and the preservation of his recordings.
The events demonstrate how a musician’s life can inspire spontaneous acts of remembrance that resonate across national borders and genres.
