Bruce Springsteen has led the tributes to the late Irish singer/songwriter, Glen Hansard, who has died aged 56.
Hansard died after being involved in a motorcycle crash in Dublin earlier today.
The musician had started out by busking on Grafton Street, before going on to become one of Ireland's most loved performers, in a career which saw him win an Oscar for co writing Falling Slowly, which featured in the Irish drama, Once in 2007.
He also earned Grammy Award for starring in The Commitments, the film adaption of Roddy Doyle's book of the same name in 1991. He played guitarist, 'Outspan' Foster.
Hansard had performed live at Trinity College, Dublin as part of the Trinity Summer Series earlier this month, which saw him treat the audience to a mixture of new material, along with a range of songs from his back catalogue as a solo artist and in The Frames.
He had also performed a range of shows across the UK and Europe.
Upon learning the tragic news regarding Hansard's death, Bruce Springsteen shared this message on Instagram.
"Here on E Street, we are heartbroken over the death of Glen Hansard", Springsteen wrote. "We met in Ireland many years ago and he was always nothing but a great musician, a good friend and a generous and gracious man".
"Always positive, smiling and ready to sing. God bless him and his loved ones".
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Other people from the world of music also paid tribute to Glen Hansard, including singer Ed Sheeran who said he was "heartbroken" to hear of Hansard's death, calling him "an incredible human, an incredible force".
Ed Sheeran wrote on his Instagram stories: "He was such an incredible human, an incredible force," he said. "I am grateful for the times we shared together, sending so much love to his family x".
In an interview with RTÉ Radio, Shane MacGowan's widow, Victoria Mary Clarke said: "The most loving man, the most thoughtful man, the most compassionate and generous man. Somebody who cared about people on an epic level, like more than anyone I had ever met".
"He was always, always helping people".
Clarke also praised Hansard for his work in helping young, aspiring musicians, as well as his charity work, adding that she had only seen him perform live at Trinity College.
In 2023, Glen Hansard had performed Fairytale of New York at the funeral of Victoria's husband and Pogues singer, Shane MacGowan.
Hothouse Flowers' Liam Ó Maonlaí also paid tribute to his late friend.
"He was such a genuine man, and so full of love and fun as well, and always had time to enjoy life with those people, whoever they were, whether they were film directors in Hollywood to friends who were living on the street. He had time for them", the singer told RTÉ.
"Our hearts are broken," he said, "but we have to send the love to him and to his family".
Other household names to pay tribute to Hansard include, The Waterboys' Mike Scott, Imelda May and Irish actor, Chris O'Dowd. See all below.
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Just heard that Glen Hansard has died. Travel on well, Buddy. You made your dreams come true. I'm so sorry that he leaves his wife and 3-year-old child.
— Mike Scott (@MickPuck) July 29, 2026
