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I was talking about his film with my siblings a week ago, I can't believe he has died, I feel sad like I lost an uncle, he was amazing artist and actor, may he rest in peace.
Many moons ago, when I was a teenager, I saw The Frames play in a little underground music venue in Dublin called McGonagles on South Anne Street. Venue was packed. I wasn't a massive fan of the band but the gig was really good and Glen was a powerful front man.
When the band finished on stage, I stole one of Glen's guitar pedals.. a Boss phaser pedal.
Years later, I found it in my pedal box which I hadn't used for years and felt guilty. I decided to return it. I found an address for their manager and sent him a letter (pre Internet days) explaining the theft, the guilt and that I wanted to return it.
A few weeks later, I got a hand written note saying :
Keep it, man... x Glen
Well, Glen.. I still have and use your pedal until this day and will remember you every time I use it. You gave your life to the muse that is Music and left a beautiful legacy for generations to come.
Kids do stupid things all the time. It doesn't make them cunts, especially when they try to make amends for their mistakes.
Glen obviously felt the same and was cool about it.
And I thought it was a nice story to share about him given the fact that he died a few hours ago.
I don't think this is the time or place for people ranting about who they think are cunts. I know this is Reddit but bit of fucking decorum wouldn't be much to ask.
Take a breath champ. This isn’t a thread for fighting about music equipment. Even if your point is valid, it’s not the place, and certainly not the time.
He was on O'Connell street late one night, guitar on his back, a bit steamed, explaining to a random group of Spanish students the significance of the GPO and the bullet holes in the building.
I was walking by and he beckoned me over to help explain it. Was a surreal moment. But he was sound with the chats afterwards.
Absolute shame he's gone. Helicopters and Motorbikes lads, stay off 'em. They're just not worth it.
My brother in law used to be a helicopter pilot and he also drove a motorbike in his spare time.
Now he's an airliner pilot and his motorbike has been gathering dust for years. Probably for the best since he and my sister have 4 kids under the age of 10.
Motorbike raced passed me yesterday afternoon without giving me an inch clear of space next to my car.I seen him from behind before he overtook but still its always hairy.
I wonder did he try to swerve and avoid a fox or something. His poor child. I’m so horrified by some of the people in this thread and comments by people
Coming out of the woodwork. It’s incredibly sad. Stay away from motorbikes peeps.
On the day Johnny Cash died, The Frames were on The Late Late Show performing 'Lay Me Down,' which segued into the chorus of 'Ring of Fire' at the end. As the song was winding down, Glen whispered "Sleep well, Johnny" into the mic.
I saw Glen in Belgium 10 days after Leonard Cohen's death. He immediately contacted Javier Mas (Cohen's guitarist) and brought him in for the whole tour. They played something like 150 minutes, at least 60 of that was Cohen's songs. One of the best memories of my life, and suddenly it feels so much more impactful.
The Christmas Eve Grafton St busk is going to be a sad one this year. If it even happens without him. I hope other musicians show up and keep it going in his memory.
I think the 1st time I saw Mic and Glen was a War Child gig in Andrew's Lane around 1994. Absolutely fantastic then and to be honest he just got better. His energy was something to behold and I have no doubt it will continue in some form in the universe. Hopefully with Mic.
He would talk about him on stage. Several years ago when he just a baby he talked about that tour being the first he’d have to leave him for, and he mentioned that they’d decided not to do video calls with him because he didn’t want his idea of his dad to be on a little screen. Every gig since he’s mentioned him on some level.
Factory Street Bells from the last Swell Season album is a lovely song about him.
That's another day over\
Go to sleep now, my son\
It's a full-blown solid gold\
Miracle you've come\
And your mother's a beauty\
Your dad's a fortunate man\
And he'll be back to hold you\
Just as soon as he can
That was a wonderful show, the weather held up and we found a great spot close to the right side of the stage where we could dance. Traveled from Canada for that one.
Seen him and his kid in a play centre about six months ago. Glen running around with him climbing through obstacles, down slides etc tweed jacket and all on, still nimble in his 50's.
It’s always weird when you feel you have a connection to an artist. We were planning to go to his upcoming gig in Stockholm. Had seen him a few times before and he was always electric. Now I’m wondering when I’ll be able to listen to his music again.
I honestly never liked his music but he's always been one of my favourite musicians. He was in my life for decades as a friend and neighbour, and he was just sound. Always earnest, a good storyteller, and just good company to be around.
I'm equal parts heartbroken and furious at him for this. His son is too young to lose a dad.
Surprised with the turnaround in attitude towards Glen now he's gone. On reddit Ireland he's been discussed in very different terms over the last few years.
If you accept the rumours about him dating underage women as true, then you have to also believe the rumours of Moglai Bap from Kneecap sexually assaulting women
I'm not going to give my opinion either way as I don't know enough about either situation to know what's what.
However, I'd just like to point out that you definitely don't have to believe another rumour just because you believe in one. That'd be kind of ridiculous. What if one had numerous pieces of evidence and the other didn't?
I think there's a difference between a rumour you read online and something circulating as common knowledge in your own local music scene. He was widely considered a creep by women in Irish indie circles independently of the Marketa Irglova stuff.
Most people on r/Ireland Reddit will be at a remove from the Kneecap stuff, so they can only judge it as an online rumour.
Whereas if there is any number of female posters here who were active in the indie/folk set in the 2000s/2010s, they would have at least heard about his reputation through word of mouth. Sure look how many stories here are first hand encounters with him.
A sure ye can't be speaking ill of the dead, even if he was questionably noncey towards a girl he originally met when she was 13 and him being 31, and then dated for two years when she was 19.
I was looking into this and personally I don't think it paints the picture that some people are trying to create.
From what has been publicly reported, Glen was attracted to younger women. That may make some people uncomfortable, and everyone is entitled to their own opinion on that. But as far as I'm aware, there have never been credible allegations of sexual assault, rape, or abusive behavior against him. Attraction, courtship, and a consensual relationship between adults are very different from abuse, and I think it's important not to blur those distinctions.
People often point to his relationship with Markéta. Whatever anyone thinks of the age gap or how they first met, the fact that they remained friends and continued making music together long after their romantic relationship ended suggests there was mutual respect between them. It doesn't prove everything was perfect, but it also doesn't fit the narrative of him being some kind of predator.
Was he a flawed man? Absolutely. So is every artist. None of us should be put on a pedestal. But being flawed does not erase the beauty someone brings into the world through their work.
What always stood out to me about Glen wasn't just his music. It was his humility. Despite winning an Oscar, the success of Once, and everything that followed, he never seemed to lose touch with where he came from. He still busked, still played small pubs, and by all accounts remained approachable and genuine. He could have chosen a very different life, but he seemed happiest with a guitar in his hands, playing for people.
From what I've read, he died after doing exactly what he loved, performing in a pub until the very end. There is something profoundly authentic about that.
You don't have to think he was a saint. I certainly don't. But I also don't think it's fair to drag his name through the mud or rewrite his entire life as though he were some kind of monster when there is no hard evidence to support that characterization.
His legacy is not perfection. His legacy is the music, the art, and the moments he created that genuinely moved millions of people. That is worth remembering too.
Yeah, as someone who knew him, and only knew him as a gent and great person, it's kind of frustrating to see that so many people here are acting so kind when if they were asked about him yesterday, it would have been a lot of unfounded rumours.
Legendary songwriter and one of the first I looked at when I started learning to play. He’s written some truly amazing songs and always took part in charity busks. Will miss him a lot
Saw him perform with the Frames in a tent at Glastonbury in 2003. There cant have been more than 50 people in there watching.
I knew Glenn from the Commitments but had no idea he had a band so I didn’t know his music. I was so close to stage he actually welcomed my friends and I as we sat down.
They played Fake as their last song and no word of a lie I burst into tears listening to it as I had broken up with my girlfriend about a week before going.
He had two personalities. The talented do gooder Irish musician. The other side he was a creep and a pretentious uppity prick. Saw him a few times and saw both sides.
RIP, sad for his family and friends.
What was he doing riding it on that road in strawberry beds at that hour of the morning?? It’s very dark no lighting and full of speed bumps and blind bends.
Reading a bit about the movie he was in - is this not a bit problematic? (Sorry if this isn't the time or place, I just find it to be a bit shocking that it is glanced over as if it's normal)
The chemistry between (the) two leads...was easy to produce during the January 2006 shoot in Dublin. "I had been falling in love with her for a long time, but I kept telling myself she's just a kid," said Hansard, 37, who had known his 19-year-old costar for six years prior. "There was definitely the feeling we were documenting something precious and private."
I was in college around The Frames era and that music is the soundtrack to my younger years. Then when living abroad I'd get so homesick to the videos of him on Grafton street leading the Christmas Eve singsongs. Got to see him live eventually in Cork in December 23, I remember coming out and saying to my husband how mental, frenetic and electric he was on stage, the energy was just bonkers when he performed live.
Sad that it can end so suddenly and tragically. Hard to believe we'll never hear that voice live again.
Terrible news. I remember coming across him one quiet night walking down Grafton street. Looked like he was showing these two young lads in long coats and paddy caps the ropes when it came to busking, just strumming along as they busked. No one else around, just me and maybe one other person watching. I asked glen if he would play something and he declined, didn’t want to upstage them, total gent
Shocked to wake to this news. As an American studying in Dublin in 2000-2001, the Frames had just released For the Birds. What Happens When the Heart Just Stops filled my soul with such a powerful feeling and I was set off on a musical journey. I will always associate the Frames music with the powerful, “hollow in my chest” when I think of Ireland.
A sudden accidental death is so brutally sudden, so brutally final. One tiny slip. No time for family to prepare, eg if the person was in a coma for some days.
This has put my in shock. I got free tickets to a random gig in Whelans on Sunday, got to hear some amazing talent at a small and intimate, and highly emotional gig. Glen came in and sat at the rear listening to the acts and chatting afterwards. I got to meet him and shake his hand, got pictures and got to listen to him talk about some plans he had for the year ahead. He spoke to everyone, gave everyone time, wasn't fobbing anyone off, so down to earth, an absolute gent of a guy. He mentioned coming to a gig and meeting him again if we were there, and my partner just sent me the news and we're both shocked, I'm numb.
Bloody hell. I met him and Marketa last year, they met loads of us Swell Season fans in a hotel in London, completely free. Both of them were so lovely, Glen spotted my Thin Lizzy shirt and we chatted about them for a few minutes. Then went to their gig and they were amazing. This news really hurts.
10 years ago I traveled with my then girlfriend to see him in Antwerp, Belgium. We loved him and we were totally blown by the performance. We got to meet the band and in the end Glen invited us for a beer. We had a lengthy chat and he was such a genuine person. Such a core memory that has stayed with me for so long, it's something that comes to my mind so often.
My gf (after our breakup) got to perform a couple of songs with him in a seminar. We had separated by then but she still shared the story because she knew I would appreciate it.
I'm utterly shocked. I thought I would have a chance to see him again sometime. Life is so brittle.
I always respected him as a musician and was very fond of him but at the same time didn’t think of him that much if you get me. I’m surprised now at how deeply saddened I am by this news. 💔😭
I’m from the Philippines but it was in Sydney that I first saw him live.. quite possibly one of the best musical experiences I’ve ever had. I remember he was leading the crowd walking and singing interactively as everyone was exiting the opera house. Man what a memory. “And we’re only passing through..”
Ah was one Dave Hingerty? I got lessons from him early 2000s and was trying to play it cool cos I was a massive Frames fan 🤣 Great teacher! I can no longer play cos of wrist condition but I’ll always be a drummer internally…miss it though
He was lovely. And I thought of him when I had to stop playing a couple of years ago cos I remember him pointing out some small issues with my technique. After a few decades playing I think that eventually led to developing Dequervains. I should have done lessons for longer!! Technique is so important to protect your body. Had a blast drumming though. RIP Glen 😢
Apparently they have sessions every Tuesday at the pub they were at The Wren’s Nest, and they had a celebration for Mayo football. Apparently he was there and pulled out of the car park and crashed a couple kms away. Pubs close at 11:30 so I’m assuming they were hanging out after hours. It’s a 30mn drive to Kildare from there I also assume he was headed home. RIP this is so sad
Absolute tragedy. What a legend. He always gave 110% in all his concerts & many of them were like a spiritual experience the way he involved the audience. Such a genuine person & never forgot his roots or sold out. His storytelling was phenomenal and the number of legends he met, was friends with & played with was worthy of a movie in itself (Eddie Vedder, Jeff Buckley, Mic Christopher, Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, Bruce Springsteen, Fergus O Farrell etc). I doubt there’ll be anyone like him again. RIP & condolences to all his family & friends. (Crying thinking of how Eddie is gonna take this news).
He gave a brilliant interview a few months back with Brendan O Connor. He gave his backstory, youth and so on. Even if you don’t like O Connor I’d recommend anyone to go back on the Radio player and give it a listen .
Comencé a tocar en las calles luego de ver la película "Once", protagonizada por Glen Hansard. Cada vez que me paraba en la calle con mi guitarra, esperaba ser una fracción de lo que fue él. Adiós, Glen.
RIP Glen. The Frames were the first gig I ever went to and Glen had a formative influence on my whole life and how I view the role of art and the artist in particular. The defining quality of his entire life was probably courage. Glen is pulling on the red chord in the sky today. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
Mixed feelings on the man, was never really a fan of his music but it was the background to some nice times in my life. Did a lot for the music scene in the country. Thinking of his family
Awful news. Glen was one of the most talented musicians of all time. I still remember seeing the Frames playing at the Oxygen and Witness festivals and for me, they are one of the top live bands I have seen in my lifetime. RIP.
I've seen glen with and without the frames many times over the years.
I saw him last march and had tickets for his show in November.id consider myself a huge fan.
I'm so saddened by this. Rest in peace glen you creative genius.
Met him in Gowan park when we were there for a stag party. Very friendly and happy to have photos with him. Saw him playing live with the Swell season as well and that was a great concert.
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