The funeral of Irish musician Glen Hansard is taking place this afternoon at St Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin, as mourners gather to pay their final respects to the beloved singer, who died in a road traffic collision on July 29.
The 56-year-old frontman of The Frames was killed in a one-vehicle crash when he lost control of his motorcycle on a soft roadside verge while heading home. He was treated at the scene but died shortly after.
Stars Pay Tribute
Among those attending the service are Bono, Steve Coogan, Hozier, Imelda May, Paddy Casey, Declan O'Rourke, and actress Angeline Ball. Bono arrived just before the service began, having released a heartfelt statement following Hansard's death.
In his statement, Bono wrote: "Sometimes I would wonder if Glen Hansard really existed….Seriously, he was such an angelic presence… not otherworldly…in fact, very present this presence… A smiling rascal if you needed him to be… this most musical and mischievous archangel of Ballymun… no airs, plenty of graces..."
Public Wake and Funeral Service
Almost 11,000 people attended Hansard's public wake in Dublin on Monday, and around 200 fans were allowed into the cathedral to join friends and family for the funeral. The service is being streamed live for those unable to attend.
The coffin was carried inside by emotional loved ones as the service began. Hansard's career spanned over three decades, and he won an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2008 with Marketa Irglova for the film Once.
Global Tributes
Tributes have also come from former US President Barack Obama, who shared on social media: "Here are some of the songs I've been listening to this summer. It starts with a song Michelle and I love by Glen Hansard, a great musician who passed tragically this week. Our hearts go out to his family."
