Glen Hansard, the award-winning musician, used his annual charity busk in Dublin to call for an end to divisive rhetoric over housing. The event, held on Christmas Eve 2022 at the Gaiety Theatre, was the first post-pandemic gig in aid of the Dublin Simon Community.
Christmas Eve Message
Addressing the hundreds gathered, Hansard dedicated the song Take Heart to the people of Ukraine, months after Russia's full-scale invasion began in February 2022. “Thank you everybody for the first Christmas back in a few years,” he said.
“We need to open our arms, we need to open our hearts to the people who need us,” Hansard added. He stressed there should be no division between the homeless and those seeking asylum, stating: “They shouldn’t be mutually exclusive.” Two Ukrainian singers, Ana and Alex, joined him on stage to perform a Ukrainian carol.
Ukraine Solidarity March
In 2025, Hansard attended a march through Dublin marking three years since the invasion. Asked by the Press Association why he was there, he replied: “Solidarity, plain and simple.” He declined to comment further, smiling and shaking his head.
Activism and Annual Busks
Hansard has participated in several Irish protests, including the Raise The Roof movement, anti-austerity water charges protests in 2014, and his Christmas Eve charity busks, which began 16 years ago. In 2023, he described the free outdoor gig as an honour and a blessing, saying: “What this is all about is singing a few songs to raise some money for shelter for people, brothers and sisters.”
He thanked the crowd: “Thanks so much, the greatest gift you can give anybody is your time and attention – this has been wonderful.” During the pandemic, the gigs paused for two years, replaced by a musical event at St Patrick's Cathedral available online.
