Outpouring Of Love And Tributes to Musician Glen Hansard

'A troubadour, a gracious man and a giant in the fight against homelessness' ... some of the tributes being paid to the musician who died in a crash in Dublin.

Fellow musicians, leaders and public representatives are all paying tribute to Glen Hansard.

The singer-songwriter died after a motorbike crash near the Strawberry Beds in Lucan, Co Dublin early this morning.

Glen was one of the vital driving influences of the Irish music world.

President Catherine Connolly says he brought people together through his music, and former president Michael D Higgins described him as "a troubadour - with a gift for storytelling."

Expressing heartbreak, Bruce Springsteen says Glen was a "great musician, a good friend, and a gracious man."  While Bob Geldof says "tragedy does not do justice to this terrible calamity for his family, the world of music and Ireland itself."

Incomparable live performances. Beautiful evenings. He'd regale audiences with stories and music.

Glen Hansard rose to fame as The Frames frontman, he starred in the film 'The Commitments' and won an Oscar in 2008 for the song he wrote with Markéta Irglová 'Falling Slowly' from the film 'Once'.

The 56 year old received a Lord Mayor's Award two years ago for his busking to help Dublin’s homeless.

Lord Mayor Darryl Barron has confirmed a book of condolence for the Oscar-winning songwriter will open at the Mansion House in Dublin tomorrow, saying he’ll be remembered fondly by generations to come 

The Dublin Simon Community will remember him as "a giant in the fight against homelessness." Glen's Christmas Eve busk on Grafton Street, started back in 2010, becoming an annual Dublin Christmas event that raised vital funds and awareness for homelessness.

In a statement the charity expressed Everyone at Dublin Simon Community was devasted to learn today of the passing of our longtime friend and supporter Glen Hansard

"To put it simply, the Busk would not have become what it is today without Glen as the driving force behind it."

His impact will last generations, even as his life has ended far too soon.

Born in Ballymun, Hansard had one child, four-year-old Christy, with his partner, Finnish poet Maire Saaritsa. They were living in Ireland and Helsinki.

In a statement from his management team, they say Glen's family is deeply shocked and heartbroken by his tragic loss, they've thanked the emergency services who attended the scene and ask for privacy.

May he rest in peace.