Tragic News of Glen Hansard's Death
- Cheryl Alterman | The Music Soup Editor
- 28 minutes ago
- 5 min read
Today I woke up with the tragic news of one of my favorite musicians on the planet, Irishman, Glen Hansard. He died from a fatal motorbike accident at the age of only 56. Already, Ed Sheeran, Bruce Springsteen and numerous other musicians are coming forward with tributes to Hansard, just hours after his death. He leaves behind a wife and three year old boy. As well as a whole load of adoring music lovers, fellow musicians, and homeless people whom Hansard touched the lives of with his work with the Simon Community for the homeless.
If you've not heard of Glen Hansard...he shot to fame in the 1991 film, The Commitments. His band, The Frames were also in the film. He won an Academy award in 2008 for his original song in the film, 'Once'. And he was nominated for a Grammy in 2016 for his album, 'Didn't He Ramble'. Glen Hansard stood up for social injustice and raised awareness for many causes, including homelessness. He raised money for the homeless through the Simon Community. As he came up busking on the streets himself, it was a natural cause for him to work with and through his work, he improved the quality of life for many.
For me, a true music fan...waking up to the news of Glen Hansard's death is crushing. And I am imagining the same to his music fans all around the world. I fell deeply in love with his music since seeing him not long ago for the first time, at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass in 2024. Today, I woke up to my phone blowing up with texts from friends that knew how much I loved him and his body of music.
I will never forget the moment I heard him for the first time. I was heading to another stage at HSB 2024 and he started his set at the stage near where I was standing. I was heading away from that stage to catch another act, then a friend told me that Eddie Vedder worked with Hansard, and I may like him, (as this friend knows I'm a big Pearl Jam fan). As soon as the first notes were heard when Hansard began his set, my head whipped around and I ran back towards the stage, and it immediately changed my plans. I photographed him from the photo pit and stayed for the entire set, changing the trajectory of my HSB plans. I'll never forget standing there whilst he played, with tears in my eyes because I'm just hearing this 'new to me', musical treasure. It was the magic hour when the light was just perfect. The sun was setting over Golden Gate Park and Glen was just coming on to the mushrooms he had eaten at the start of his set given to him by an audience member. I was standing with this Irish woman and she saw how affected I was with this 'new to me' artist. She told me he is massive in Ireland. Of course he is! So when I arrived home, I researched him and wrote my first of two articles about this musical treasure. And just the fact that Vedder loved him was enough for me to take a deep dive. I found he was close to many of the musicians whom I love. Many have already come out about how they've been affected by this devastating news.
After this momentus set at HSB '24 - he rolled into San Francisco the following year for "The Swell Season" tour and I got right on that show to cover. It was at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, and what an amazing show it was. The Glen Hansard people treated me very kindly as I was given a photo pass as part of the Hansard crew that night. (As opposed to 'media'.) And no one hassled me or told me where I can and cannot shoot from as I was for that night, on the Hansard "crew". They even gave me permission to shoot the entire show
This show in San Francisco in 2025 had taken place just after his scheduled and canceled appearance on the Jimmy Kimmel show. Sadly his appearance was scheduled for the same day that the orange baby in the White House got his way and took Kimmel off the air. Glen talked at length about this and other atrocities happening in the country due to the messed up politics of today. After his show, I noticed everyone leaving the venue with smiles and the love that he shared with the audience. One could just see that Glen Hansard was one of those super decent and caring humans. I know me and my guest that night did. The friend who I took to the show is also a string musician and she had never seen him before, but she has heard me drone on and on about his performance at HSB, as I was staying at her house that night after I saw him for the first time in the prior year. And when I find an artist that I love, I go deep and my "fan girl self' turns on and I cant stop sharing with all, as I'm so excited. Here is a link to that article about this show.
Since I 'found him'...I listen to Hansards' music nearly daily for a 'pallette cleanse' to wipe away the awful news about the corrupt rapist in the White House and all the shitty things happening today.
I feel like I've known Hansards' music for a lot longer than I actually do. If you like artists like Cat Stevens, Eddie Vedder, and Ed Sheeran...you'll love Glen Hansards' music. I will always hold a special place in my heart for this talented and kind human being who shared, not only his gift of songwriting but his humanity with the world. He made it a somewhat better place for those people who may not be as fortunate as others. His charity work with the homeless has changed peoples lives. And his music changed mine. ❤️
I say this with tears in my eyes, as his loss is so fresh...From this music lover - Thank you to Glen Hansard for making my life better since I found him and his body of music. May he rest in peace and his music live on and be heard for generations to come. 💜🎵
As always....Remember that life is so short and gets shorter every day. Please, be kind to each other. Greet each day with love in your heart. Never regret anything that made you smile. Forgive and apologise easily. Make amends to those we hurt. As we all know that life can end at any moment.
With love and gratitude, (and always turn up the volume on that music!)
Cheryl, at The Music Soup ❤️✌🏻🎵
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Please do check out my You Tube to view some of the footage of Glens' show in San Francisco. There are several videos of Hansard up on my channel. ©CherylAltermanPhotography 2024 and 2025
©CherylAltermanPhotography 2024 and 2025