Eddie Vedder sang at the funeral for Irish singer-songwriter Glen Hansard. The service was Tuesday at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin. Vedder performed “Song of Good Hope” from Hansard’s 2012 album Rhythm and Repose. Markéta Irglová joined him. She played with Hansard in The Swell Season and co-starred with him in the film Once.
Vedder and Hansard were close friends and collaborators. Hansard had played with Vedder’s solo band, The Earthlings. He also opened for Vedder and Pearl Jam many times. Hansard co-wrote “My Father’s Daughter,” the debut song by Vedder’s daughter, Olivia.
U2’s Bono spoke at the funeral. He said Hansard made everyone feel like a close friend. Bono played a voice message from Patti Smith, who sang a lullaby for the family. Bono began reading the lyrics to U2’s “Beautiful Day,” and The Edge joined him. They led the crowd in part of the song.
Glen Hansard died on July 29 in a motorcycle accident. He was 56.
