Imelda May and Bono turn out for the annual Christmas busking session.U2 Songs / X

Bono, Imelda May and Oscar-winning star Glen Hansard took part in last night’s Christmas Eve charity busking session outside the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin city centre.

Glen Hansard opened the annual event and promised the large crowd that more than 30 artists would perform.

The traditional gig, which started as an impromptu sing-along in 2010, has now become a very important fundraiser for the Dublin Simon Community, which provides help and services to people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

Joining Glen Hansard in delighting the crowds were The Riptide Movement, Imelda May, singer/songwriter Shobsy and Bono.

U2 frontman Bono was one of the last to perform, and to the delight of the crowd gathered, Imelda May joined him in a duet, performing Baby Please Come Home for Christmas.

The event ended with the rousing Christmas favourite Fairytale of New York, with the artists remembering the late Shane McGowan, whose birthday is Christmas Day.

Hundreds of people who gathered for what has now become a famous Dublin tradition sang along to many Christmas songs, and across the world, revellers were tuning in to the Livestream from Europe and the United States.

* This article was originally published on Extra.ie.