Music and personal memories filled St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin as family, friends and fans gathered to honor Glen Hansard on August 4. The Irish singer-songwriter died at age 56 following a motorcycle crash on July 29.
During the funeral service, Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder joined Markéta Irglová for a performance of Hansard’s The Song of Good Hope. Irglová was Hansard’s longtime collaborator in The Swell Season and shared his Academy Award win for Falling Slowly, the song they wrote for the 2007 film Once.
Bono also addressed the congregation and shared a recorded message from Patti Smith. He later recited lyrics from U2’s Beautiful Day, with those inside the cathedral joining him.
The service brought together several well-known musicians and actors, including The Edge, Hozier, Imelda May, Steve Coogan and Chris O’Dowd. Hansard was remembered for his work with The Frames, his international solo career and his annual Christmas Eve performances supporting homeless charities in Dublin.