Bruce Springsteen "heartbroken" as music world mourns Glen Hansard

The 56-year-old died in a motorcycle crash in the early hours of Wednesday morning at the Strawberry Beds in Lucan in Dublin.

Gardaí and emergency services were alerted to the collision on the R109 Lower Road, between Tinkers Hill and Rugged Lane, at 4.30am.

Hundreds of celebrities from the world of music and showbiz have since paid tribute to the "Falling Slowly" hitmaker.

Among those paying tribute include Bruce, who said on social media: "Here on E Street, we are heartbroken over the death of Glen.

"We met in Ireland many years ago, and he was always nothing but a great musician, a good friend and a generous and gracious man.

"Always positive, smiling and ready to sing. God bless him and his loved ones."

Ed Sheeran described Glen as "an incredible human".

"He was such an incredible human, an incredible force. I am grateful for the times we shared together, sending so much love to his family," he said.

Shane MacGowan's widow Victoria Mary Clarke has said Glen told her in the final weeks before his death that being a dad was the "best thing that ever happened to him" as hundreds pay tribute.

She said he told her that "being a father is the best thing that has ever happened to me, why didn't I think of it earlier."

Speaking to Oliver Callan on his RTÉ Radio 1 show, Victoria said she was in "total disbelief" when she heard of Glen's death.

"At first it was total disbelief, like that can't happen, Glen, he can't go, he's so alive, always so alive."

Victoria said she had known the singer since the 1980s, with his band The Frames, having the same manager as The Pogues.

"The most loving man, the most thoughtful man, the most compassionate and generous man. Somebody who cared about people on an epic level, like more than anyone I had ever met.

"He was always, always helping people."

Victoria said he was a natural genius and incredible singer, who "wasn't in the slightest bit motivated by money or fame.

"He never seemed to run out of enthusiasm and fire, and he wasn't in the slightest bit motivated by money or fame; he would give the money to anybody who wanted it.

"He just wanted to make music with good people and hang out with good people and more than anything he loved his child Christy and his wife Maire."

Victoria said Glen championed young musicians with talent and would try and bring them front and center at his gigs.

"He would give them the mic, give them the space so that they could actually outshine them and he would stand back and smile, and he was full of pride," she said.

Glen's pal Liam Ó Maonlaí of Hothouse Flowers said Glen "made time for so many people."

Speaking on RTÉ's News at One, he said: "He was such a genuine man, and so full of love and fun as well, and always had time to enjoy life with those people, whoever they were, whether they were film directors in Hollywood or friends who were living on the street. He had time for them.

"He came up with, 'what are we going to do next Christmas Eve?' You know, there's one text that I won't be getting. And I got a text every year about Christmas Eve.

"Our hearts are broken, but we have to send the love to him and to his family."

Actor Chris O'Dowd said he could not believe Glen "left the world so terribly early".

He said: "His energizing melodies and soulful, searching voice made the tough times more manageable, the stagnant times more beautiful, and the joyful times even more memorable.

"I had the opportunity to tell Glen that for me, Seven Day Mile was that song.

"When I worked in a bar in south London, I'd be cleaning up after closing, and the opening bars of Seven Day Mile would light up my time, and carry me for the remainder of the messy shift.

"Anyone who makes use of music knows the feeling of being taken away. He did that. And he leaves it with us.

"Thanks, Glen. Huge love to Maire and little Christy and all those who loved him."

Actress Amy Huberman also paid tribute, saying that she was 'gutted' when she heard the news.

"What a talent we were lucky to have. Gutted to hear this news, for his fans, for his friends, for his family. Rest in peace xx"

President Catherine Connolly said Glen and the Frames were the "source of so much inspiration to a generation of young people and musicians."

The President also said Glen would be remembered for the generosity with which he shared his fame, and cited his work assisting in important causes such as helping the homeless, in particular the annual Christmas Eve busk.

"Glen was one of the vital driving influences of the Irish music world, bringing people together in the sharing of live music.

"He will be sorely missed by all who knew him or experienced his work."

The Taoiseach  [Irish leader] has expressed his sadness at Glen's death. Micheál Martin described him as a "talented musician and actor who made a significant contribution to Ireland's cultural landscape over many years.'="

Tánaiste [Deputy Leader] Simon Harris has paid tribute to Glen Hansard, and the "international success" he had "over a long and varied career."

Former President Michael D Higgins said Glen "placed great emphasis" on problems in our society, in particular "drawing attention to the problem of homelessness."

He said: "It is with deep sadness that I have learned of the death of Glen Hansard.

"Glen was a wonderful musician and performer, a troubadour whose gift for storytelling brought so much joy to audiences across the world.

"From his early days busking on Dublin's streets through to his work with The Frames, the Swell Season with Markéta Irglová, and on to his very successful solo career, Glen captured the attention of all who listened and rightly developed a loyal following all across the world.

"Throughout his career, Glen made a particularly noteworthy effort to keep alive the work of all those who had gone before him, keeping alive the songs of previous generations of Irish musicians and singers who had influenced him, as well as the songs of departed friends such as Mic Christopher and Fergus O'Farrell.

"Glen also placed great emphasis throughout his life to the importance of talking the problems of society, including regular work in drawing attention to the problem of homelessness. This work drove his annual Christmas Eve busk, which raised money for those suffering from homelessness and related causes at Christmas.

"Glen also made an indelible impression in Irish film, with his roles as Outspan Foster in The Commitments and perhaps most notably in former bandmate John Carney's 'Once', for which he and Markéta Irglová so deservedly won an Oscar for Best Original Song.

"I was delighted to welcome Glen to Áras an Uachtaráin in 2013 when he performed as part of Glaoch - The President's Call, and was also honored when he performed as part of the Ceiliúradh concert during my State Visit to the United Kingdom the following year.

"Most recently, we were in neighboring dressing rooms for the Hot Press anniversary concert in the 3 Arena in February, where The Frames delighted the audience with a typically engaging performance."

Mr Higgins expressed his deepest condolences to Glen's wife and his son, Christy, and "to all his family, friends, band mates, fellow musicians and fans who I know will all be so saddened by this shocking news."

The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Daryl Barron, has opened a book of condolence for Glen, saying he was stunned when he heard about his death.

* This article was originally published on Evoke.ie.