Eddie Vedder and Markéta Irglová Sing Together at Glen Hansard’s Funeral in Dublin

Eddie Vedder and Markéta Irglová sang together at Glen Hansard’s funeral, held Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin. Hansard, the Irish singer-songwriter behind The Frames and The Swell Season, died July 29 at age 56 following a motorcycle crash in Dublin.

• The funeral took place at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin on August 4, 2026.
• Eddie Vedder performed Hansard’s “The Song of Good Hope,” harmonizing with Markéta Irglová and backed by members of The Frames and musician Thomas Bartlett.
• Bono played a voicemail lullaby that Patti Smith recorded for Hansard’s family and recited a reworked, spoken-word version of U2’s “Beautiful Day,” joined by The Edge.
• The service closed with a group rendition of Bob Dylan’s “Forever Young,” led by Liam Ó Maonlaí of Hothouse Flowers, as Hansard’s wicker casket was carried out.
• Hansard’s wife, Maire Saaritsa, and his brother Richie Hansard both spoke, and a public wake for Hansard was held August 3, 2026.

Who Performed at Glen Hansard’s Funeral?

Mourners packed St. Patrick’s Cathedral to remember Hansard through the music that defined his life. Bono and The Edge of U2, Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder, Hozier, Imelda May, Steve Coogan, Chris O’Dowd, Declan O’Rourke, Paddy Casey, and Angeline Ball, who starred alongside Hansard in The Commitments, were among those in attendance.

Jake Clemons of the E Street Band, Damien Dempsey, Damien Rice, and Lisa O’Neill also took part in the tributes. Hansard’s brother Gary performed an original song titled “I Can See God” during the service.

Vedder’s performance of “The Song of Good Hope” stood out as one of the funeral’s most emotional moments. He harmonized with Markéta Irglová, Hansard’s longtime collaborator and Once co-star, while members of The Frames and musician Thomas Bartlett provided backing.

Bono’s Tribute: Patti Smith Lullaby and Reworked ‘Beautiful Day’

Bono opened his tribute by reflecting on Hansard’s rare gift for making everyone feel close to him. “People on the green outside, best friends. People tuning in, best friends. Even people who haven’t met him, best friends,” Bono said. “Everyone who met him, they just remember the day they met him.”

Bono then played a voicemail message that Patti Smith had sent him on the day Hansard died. The message contained a lullaby Smith had recorded for Hansard’s family, which Bono described as “a gift” that she was happy to share.

Bono followed with a mostly spoken-word rendition of U2’s “Beautiful Day,” with lyrics rewritten to honor Hansard, including the line “You write your life until the story becomes true.” The Edge joined him on guitar for the piece. U2 later posted the full re-written lyrics on Instagram alongside a painting of Hansard by artist Colin Davidson.

How Did Glen Hansard’s Family Say Goodbye?

Hansard’s wife, Maire Saaritsa, spoke emotionally at the service, thanking friends and family for their support. The couple shared a three-year-old son, Christy, and Saaritsa said their son had inherited “the bright spirit” of his father.

Hansard’s brother Richie delivered a eulogy recalling Hansard’s own words about grief. “Glen said once that when you lose someone, you don’t really lose them,” Richie told mourners. “If you have the strength and the will, you will gain them back and you inherit the best parts of them.”

The funeral concluded with a group performance of Bob Dylan’s “Forever Young,” led by Liam Ó Maonlaí of Hothouse Flowers and featuring Bono, Vedder and The Edge, as Hansard’s wicker casket was carried from the cathedral. A public wake had been held the day before, on August 3, 2026, giving fans a chance to pay their respects.

Who Was Glen Hansard?

Hansard rose to fame as frontman of The Frames and starred in the 1991 film The Commitments. He gained international recognition for his lead role in the 2007 film Once, in which he starred alongside Markéta Irglová.

Hansard and Irglová formed the musical duo The Swell Season and won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2008 for “Falling Slowly,” which was featured in Once. Beyond his film and music career, Hansard was a longstanding supporter of the Dublin Simon Community, having started an annual Christmas Eve busking event in Dublin in 2010 to benefit people experiencing homelessness.

In lieu of flowers, Hansard’s family asked mourners to donate to the Dublin Simon Community or Ukrainian Action.

FAQ

When did Glen Hansard die and how old was he?

Glen Hansard died on July 29, 2026, at age 56, following a motorcycle crash in Dublin.

Who sang at Glen Hansard’s funeral?

Performers included Eddie Vedder, Markéta Irglová, Bono, The Edge, Liam Ó Maonlaí, Lisa O’Neill and Hansard’s brother Gary, among others, at the service held August 4, 2026 at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin.

What song did Eddie Vedder sing at Glen Hansard’s funeral?

Eddie Vedder performed Hansard’s song “The Song of Good Hope,” harmonizing with Markéta Irglová and backed by members of The Frames and musician Thomas Bartlett.

More Info

1. Rolling Stone: Watch Bono and Eddie Vedder Perform at Glen Hansard’s Funeral
2. NME: Watch Bono, Eddie Vedder and Markéta Irglová sing at Glen Hansard’s funeral
3. Consequence: Bono Honors Glen Hansard at Funeral with Beautiful Day Tribute, Patti Smith Lullaby
4. Far Out Magazine: Bono shares lullaby from Patti Smith in tribute to Glen Hansard at funeral
5. Billboard: Watch Bono, Eddie Vedder More Honor Glen Hansard With Emotional Musical Tributes at Dublin Funeral
6. SPIN: Eddie Vedder, Markéta Irglová Perform At Glen Hansard Funeral
7. The Hollywood Reporter: Glen Hansard’s Funeral Draws Hundreds of Stars and Civilians as Markéta Irglová, Eddie Vedder Perform
8. NME: U2 share re-written Beautiful Day lyrics from Glen Hansard funeral tribute