The family of Glen Hansard has spoken out to thank the public for the overwhelming wave of support that followed the death of his brother, with a heartfelt message describing the late family member as “the kindest human I’ve ever known.”
Hansard’s brother took to social media to acknowledge the outpouring of condolences that came flooding in from fans, friends, and well-wishers across Ireland and beyond. The message was a deeply personal tribute, capturing the grief of a family dealing with a very public loss while also expressing genuine gratitude for the warmth shown by so many people.
The Once star, who is one of Ireland’s most beloved musicians, has long had a devoted following both at home and internationally. When news of the bereavement broke, tributes poured in almost immediately, reflecting just how much Hansard and his family mean to people who have followed his career over the decades.
Marketa Irglova, Hansard’s longtime musical collaborator and co-star from the iconic 2007 film Once, also shared her condolences publicly. The Czech-Irish singer took to Instagram to offer her sympathies to the Hansard family, a gesture that resonated strongly with fans who have followed the pair since their Oscar-winning song Falling Slowly brought them both to global attention.
The bond between Hansard and Irglova has always been one of the more celebrated partnerships in Irish music. Their collaboration produced some of the most emotionally raw and honest music to come out of Ireland in recent years, and Irglova’s public message of support added another layer of meaning to an already emotional moment for the family.
Glen Hansard himself has always been known for his deep connection to Dublin, to his community, and to the people around him. He rose to prominence as the frontman of The Frames before achieving international recognition through Once, and has spent much of his career staying grounded in the streets and culture of the city that shaped him. That sense of community has clearly been felt in return, given the scale of the response to his family’s loss.
For fans who have followed Hansard’s journey from busking on Grafton Street to winning an Academy Award, the news of a family bereavement hit close to home. Many took to social media to share their own memories and messages, creating a genuine groundswell of support that the family has now acknowledged directly.
The brother’s message, while brief, was clearly written from a place of real emotion. Describing the person they lost as the kindest human they had ever known says everything about the kind of grief the family is carrying right now, and the kind of person they are mourning.
Times like these are a reminder of how music and art can create real, lasting bonds between artists and the people who love their work. The response to this loss shows that Glen Hansard is not just respected as a musician in Ireland, but genuinely loved as a person. And right now, his family knows that too.