Glen Hansard: a tireless, warm-hearted troubadour whose music brought people together

I came to fully appreciate Glen Hansard later than some. Like many, I was properly introduced to him through the 2007 musical romance Once. I had been aware of his band The Frames, but it was Hansard’s portrayal of a Dublin-based busker that captivated me and made me dive deeply into his musical catalogue. Once is a

He dropped out of school at 13 to play guitar on the street. I was shocked to hear of the star’s death in a motorcycle crash, aged just 56.

He dropped out of school at 13 to play guitar on the street. I was shocked to hear of the star’s death in a motorcycle crash, aged just 56.

Hansard, who died this morning, left school at the age of 13 to pursue his dream of becoming a musician. It paid off.

Gardai were at the scene of the single-vehicle collision near Strawberry Beds in Lucan early this morning