Barack Obama leads tributes for ‘great musician’ Glen Hansard after untimely death at 56

Carla FericThu, July 30, 2026 at 8:45 PM UTC

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(PA)

Former U.S. President Barack Obama has led a wave of tributes to "great musician" Glen Hansard, following the Oscar-winning artist’s "tragic" death at the age of 56.

The frontman of Irish band The Frames died in a motorcycle crash in Dublin on Wednesday, prompting an outpouring of grief from across the entertainment world and beyond.

Obama, 64, shared his annual summer playlist to Instagram on Thursday, featuring Hansard’s beloved acoustic track, Song Of Good Hope.

He wrote: "It starts with a song Michelle and I love by Glen Hansard, a great musician who passed tragically this week. Our hearts go out to his family."

Among the many stars remembering Hansard was U.S. singer and actress Emily Osment, who rose to fame on the Disney Channel sitcom Hannah Montana.

The 34-year-old shared a video of herself performing with Hansard, describing it as "one of the greatest nights of my life" and remembering a "beautiful human gone too soon".

Osment added: "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. Thank you for giving us all of you to listen to forever."

Northern Irish folk singer Cara Dillon also posted a performance with Hansard to Instagram, mourning a "huge loss".

She said: "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 was another celebrity to pay tribute, reposting a lengthy message from her mother Maggie.

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Alongside several pictures of the Eilish family with Hansard, the chart-topper wrote: "Devastated… Wouldn’t be who I am today without Glen."

Her brother Finneas, also a musician, echoed the sentiment, praising Hansard as the "most wonderful person" and expressing his feelings as a "heartbroken fan".

The daughter of musician Eddie Vedder, a friend of Hansard, commented: "I love him so much, he loved you so much."

Hansard was also remembered by Bono, Ed Sheeran and Bruce Springsteen, with the latter praising him as "a great musician, a good friend and a generous and gracious man". U2 frontman Bono recalled the fellow Dubliner as an "angelic presence" who "really was who you thought he was", highlighting his work fundraising for the homeless.

Rachel Zegler, who performed with Hansard in 2024, shared several photos captioned: "Oh I will love you forever. Rest now, my friend." Comedian and actor Chris O’Dowd expressed disbelief that the singer "left the world so terribly early".

He added: "His energising melodies and soulful, searching voice made the tough times more manageable, the stagnant times more beautiful, and the joyful times even more memorable."

O’Dowd’s wife, writer and presenter Dawn O’Porter, shared a picture of Hansard, calling him "the loveliest man".

She added: "I’m sorry to everyone who will feel this so deeply. His family. The saddest news." Andrea Corr, lead singer of The Corrs, praised Hansard as "a beautiful artist and man", while Irish rock band Aslan said they were "devastated".

Further tributes came from Irish musicians Bob Geldof, Cait O’Riordan and Hozier, as well as US songwriter and actor Lin-Manuel Miranda and former The Late Late Show host Ryan Tubridy. Political figures across Ireland, including President Catherine Connolly, Taoiseach Micheál Martin and deputy premier Simon Harris, also paid their respects.

Hansard is survived by his wife, Finnish poet Maire Saaritsa, and their three-year-old son Christy.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”