Bono, Eddie Vedder and Markéta Irglová Lead Musical Tributes at Glen Hansard’s Funeral
Glen Hansard was remembered by a gathering of musicians and loved ones at his funeral on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, held at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin. The Irish singer-songwriter died on July 29 at age 56 following a motorcycle crash, and his service brought together decades of collaborators and friends for a day built around song.
Bono and The Edge of U2, Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder, Hansard’s former Once co-star Markéta Irglová, Hozier, Imelda May and many others attended to send Hansard off with the kind of live music that defined his career.
- Hansard fronted The Frames, appeared in the 1991 film The Commitments, and starred in the 2007 movie Once
- He and Irglová formed The Swell Season and won the 2008 Academy Award for Best Original Song for “Falling Slowly”
- A public wake for Hansard took place on August 3, 2026, the day before the funeral
- Hansard’s family requested donations to the Dublin Simon Community or Ukrainian Action instead of flowers
Eddie Vedder and Markéta Irglová Perform “The Song of Good Hope”
Vedder took on Hansard’s own composition “The Song of Good Hope” during the service, singing alongside Irglová in a moment of shared grief between two of Hansard’s most frequent musical partners. Members of The Frames and musician Thomas Bartlett backed the pair as they performed the tribute inside the cathedral.
Bono Shares Patti Smith’s Voicemail and a Reworked “Beautiful Day”
Bono used part of his eulogy to play a voicemail that Patti Smith had sent him on the day Hansard died, a recording that included a lullaby Smith had sung for Hansard’s family. Bono described the message as something Smith was glad to pass along to those mourning Hansard.
Bono then delivered a spoken-word rendition of U2’s “Beautiful Day” with several lines altered to speak directly to Hansard’s life and death, including the line “You write your life until the story becomes true.” The Edge joined him for the tribute. U2 later shared the full rewritten lyrics on Instagram, paired with a painting of Hansard by artist Colin Davidson.
Reflecting on Hansard’s gift for connection, Bono told mourners: “People on the green outside, best friends. People tuning in, best friends. Even people who haven’t met him, best friends. Everyone who met him, they just remember the day they met him.”
“Forever Young” Closes the Service
As Hansard’s wicker casket was carried from St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Liam Ó Maonlaí of Hothouse Flowers led a group performance of Bob Dylan’s “Forever Young.” Bono, Vedder, The Edge and other musicians in attendance joined in for the send-off.
Family Remembers Hansard’s Spirit
Hansard’s wife, Maire Saaritsa, spoke at the funeral to thank those who had offered support since his death. She and Hansard share a three-year-old son, Christy, and she said their son carries what she called “the bright spirit” of his father.
Hansard’s brother, Richie Hansard, delivered a eulogy recalling his brother’s own words about loss. “Glen said once that when you lose someone, you don’t really lose them,” he said. “If you have the strength and the will, you will gain them back and you inherit the best parts of them.”
Other Musicians and Friends at the Service
The funeral drew a wide circle of Hansard’s collaborators and friends, including Hozier, Imelda May, Steve Coogan, Chris O’Dowd, Declan O’Rourke, Paddy Casey, Angeline Ball, Jake Clemons of the E Street Band, Damien Dempsey and Damien Rice. Lisa O’Neill performed “Old Note” during the service, while Hansard’s brother Gary performed an original composition titled “I Can See God.”
More Info
- Watch Bono and Eddie Vedder Perform at Glen Hansard’s Funeral | Rolling Stone
- Watch Bono, Eddie Vedder and Markéta Irglová sing at Glen Hansard’s funeral | NME
- Bono Honors Glen Hansard at Funeral with "Beautiful Day" Tribute, Patti Smith Lullaby | Consequence
- Watch Bono, Eddie Vedder & More Honor Glen Hansard With Emotional Musical Tributes at Dublin Funeral | Billboard
- Bono shares lullaby from Patti Smith in tribute to Glen Hansard at funeral | Far Out Magazine
- Eddie Vedder, Markéta Irglová Perform At Glen Hansard Funeral | SPIN
- Glen Hansard’s Funeral Draws Hundreds of Stars and Civilians as Markéta Irglová, Eddie Vedder Perform | The Hollywood Reporter Music
- Bono, Eddie Vedder and Hozier among mourners at Glen Hansard’s funeral | BBC Entertainment & Arts
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