Former US president Barack Obama has remembered Glen Hansard as a 'great musician' after the Oscar-winning singer died aged 56 in a motorbike crash in Dublin. Obama shared his annual summer playlist on Instagram, opening with Hansard's acoustic track Song Of Good Hope.
'It starts with a song Michelle and I love by Glen Hansard, a great musician who passed tragically this week,' Obama wrote. 'Our hearts go out to his family.'
Stars pay tribute to Hansard
US singer and actress Emily Osment recalled performing with Hansard as 'one of the greatest nights of my life', calling him a 'beautiful human gone too soon'. She said: 'I'm so grateful for the hours I spent in my bedroom in high school immersing myself in the inimitable song writing that came from the soul of Glen Hansard. It truly shaped me.'
Northern Irish folk singer Cara Dillon mourned a 'huge loss', saying: 'I last sang with him a couple of years ago and he brought a truly infectious energy. You felt the presence of an extraordinary soul. Condolences to his family and friends at this awful time.'
Billie Eilish reposted a tribute from her mother Maggie, captioning it: 'Devastated… Wouldn't be who I am today without Glen.' Her brother Finneas praised Hansard as the 'most wonderful person', saying he felt like a 'heartbroken fan'.
The daughter of musician Eddie Vedder, a friend of Hansard, commented: 'I love him so much, he loved you so much.'
Musicians and political figures remember
Hansard has also been remembered by Bono, Ed Sheeran and Bruce Springsteen. Springsteen praised him as 'a great musician, a good friend and a generous and gracious man'. Bono described the fellow Dubliner as an 'angelic presence' who 'really was who you thought he was', praising his work fundraising for the homeless.
US star Rachel Zegler, who performed with Hansard in 2024, posted photos with the caption: 'Oh I will love you forever. Rest now, my friend.' Comedian Chris O'Dowd said he could not believe the singer 'left the world so terribly early', adding that 'his energising melodies and soulful, searching voice made the tough times more manageable'. His wife Dawn O'Porter called Hansard 'the loveliest man'.
Andrea Corr of The Corrs praised Hansard as 'a beautiful artist and man', while Irish rock band Aslan said they were 'devastated'. Other tributes came from Bob Geldof, Cait O'Riordan, Hozier, Lin-Manuel Miranda and former Late Late Show host Ryan Tubridy.
Political figures across Ireland, including President Catherine Connolly, Taoiseach Micheál Martin and deputy premier Simon Harris, also remembered Hansard. He is survived by his wife, Finnish poet Maire Saaritsa, and their three-year-old son Christy.
