Following Glen Hansard’s funeral earlier Tuesday in Dublin, family, close friends, and dozens of fellow musicians gathered at the iconic Vicar Street to celebrate his life the way he would have wanted: through music.
📍 Vicar Street, Dublin
📅 Tuesday 4 August 2026
It was an emotional evening filled with memories, laughter, tears, and songs shared by artists from different worlds, all brought together by the love and respect they had for the Irish songwriter.
One of the night’s most unforgettable moments came near the end, when Eddie Vedder led a powerful rendition of Neil Young’s Rockin’ in the Free World. Joining him on stage were Liam Ó Maonlaí, Jake Clemons, Mundy, members of The Frames, Declan O’Rourke, Imelda May, Bronagh Gallagher, and many more, turning the performance into one unforgettable communal celebration.
At the side of the stage, Olivia Vedder stood hand in hand with Markéta Irglová throughout the song, a quiet but deeply moving image that perfectly reflected the friendships and connections Glen inspired throughout his life.
One of the most powerful moments of the night came with Society, the song written by Jerry Hannan and featured on the Into the Wild soundtrack. At Vicar Street in Dublin, Eddie Vedder delivered a deeply moving rendition of the song, backed by Jake Clemons’ saxophone. Over the years, Eddie had often performed the song during his solo shows with Glen Hansard, turning it into one of the defining pieces of their friendship and artistic connection.
That musical bond had already been captured in another special moment back in 2013, when Eddie Vedder, Jake Clemons and Glen Hansard recorded a studio version of Drive All Night, Bruce Springsteen’s song originally released on The River. A truly special collaboration that brought together three artists connected by the same musical soul and emotional depth.
Bringing Society back during the celebration of Glen’s life carried an even deeper meaning, becoming an intimate and heartfelt tribute to a friend with whom Eddie had shared stages, songs and a unique bond. At the very end, overcome by emotion, Eddie briefly forgot the lyrics and softly whispered, “Glen, help me!“, creating one of the most human and heartbreaking moments of the night.
The evening also featured a series of heartfelt musical tributes. Lisa O’Neill delivered a beautiful version of the Beatles’ Blackbird, Mundy performed Neil Young’s After the Gold Rush, Gary Hansard, one of Glen’s brothers, sang the Irish traditional The Auld Triangle, and The Frames brought the house down with a powerful performance of Fitzcarraldo.
More than a concert, the evening was a celebration of a musician whose songs and humanity touched countless lives. It was a fitting farewell to an artist whose legacy will continue to live on through his music and through the people he inspired.
May he rest in peace.
The videos featured in this article were originally shared by the YouTube channel Ireland Podcast. Our heartfelt thanks go to them for documenting and making these incredibly special moments from Glen Hansard’s celebration of life available to everyone.
In Memory of Glen Hansard
To celebrate Glen Hansard’s life, music, and the incredible legacy he left behind, we invite you to check out our exclusive interview with Dave Hingerty of The Frames. Dave, who played drums on the Flag Day soundtrack alongside Glen and Eddie Vedder, shared stories about the recording sessions, their friendship, and the special bond that connected these musicians.
➜ Read the full interview with Dave Hingerty
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