Barack Obama remembers ‘great musician’ Glen Hansard after death aged 56

The Irish musician died in a motorbike crash on Wednesday.

Former US president Barack Obama has remembered “great musician” Glen Hansard after his “tragic” death.

The Oscar-winning musician, best known as the frontman of Irish band The Frames, died aged 56 in a motorcycle crash in Dublin on Wednesday.

Mr Obama, 64, joined the galaxy of stars paying tribute to Hansard as he shared his annual summer playlist to Instagram on Thursday.

The Democrat included Song Of Good Hope on the playlist, which is a beloved acoustic track by the Ballymun-born star.

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.”

Others who have paid tribute over the past day include US singer and actress Emily Osment, who rose to fame in Disney channel sitcom Hannah Montana.

The 34-year-old shared a video performing with Hansard, which she described as “one of the greatest nights of my life”, as she remembered a “beautiful human gone too soon”.

Osment said: “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 shared a post performing with Hansard to Instagram as she mourned the “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 also among the celebrities remembering Hansard, and reposted a lengthy tribute shared by her mother Maggie.

Over the post, which included many pictures of the Eilish family meeting Hansard, the chart-topper said: “Devastated… Wouldn’t be who I am today without Glen.”

Her brother Finneas, a fellow musician, shared the sentiment and praised Hansard as the “most wonderful person”, saying he felt like a “heartbroken fan” in his own tribute.

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

Hansard has also been 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 remembered the fellow Dublin man as an “angelic presence” who “really was who you thought he was”, and praised his work fundraising for the homeless.

US star Rachel Zegler, who performed on stage with Hansard in 2024, shared several photos with the singer which she captioned: “Oh I will love you forever. Rest now, my friend.”

Comedian and actor Chris O’Dowd said he could not believe the singer “left the world so terribly early”.

“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,” he added.

O’Dowd’s wife, writer and presenter Dawn O’Porter, shared a picture of Hansard to Instagram and praised him as “the loveliest man”.

“I’m sorry to everyone who will feel this so deeply. His family. The saddest news,” she added.

Andrea Corr, lead singer of The Corrs, praised Hansard as “a beautiful artist and man” while Irish rock band Aslan said they were “devastated” to learn of his death.

Others to pay tribute include 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.

Hansard has also been remembered by political figures across Ireland, including President Catherine Connolly, Taoiseach Micheál Martin and deputy premier Simon Harris.

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