Dublin bid farewell to Oscar-winning songwriter Glen Hansard with a public wake and a book of condolence signing, drawing thousands of fans who remembered the musician's impact.
Fans gathered in Temple Bar to sign a book of condolence and queued for hours on Monday to pay their respects during the public wake. Many shared memories of attending Hansard's concerts and encountering him as a street performer. The 56-year-old musician died in a motorcycle crash last week.
Danni Rohde, a fan of Hansard's band, The Frames, described the loss as "unreal." Another fan, Chris James, recalled seeing Hansard busking on Grafton Street 25 years prior, an experience that inspired him to start playing the guitar. One mourner characterized Hansard's death as a significant loss to Ireland.
Hansard first gained prominence in 1991 for his role in the musical comedy film "The Commitments."