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Glen Hansard recently spoke of his powerful friendship with Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder
Irish singer and Oscar-winning musician Glen Hansard died on 29 July 2026 following a motorcycle crash in Lucan, Dublin, prompting tributes from artists including Bruce Springsteen and Rachel Zegler. Shortly before his death, he had spoken in an interview about his 15-year friendship with Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder, a bond that began after Vedder reached out to him following a traumatic incident at one of his shows.
Hansard told Track Star last month that in 2010 a young man died by suicide on stage during one of his gigs, leaving him deeply shaken and unsure whether to continue the tour. Vedder called him unexpectedly and spoke with him daily for five days, later inviting him to Seattle, where they recorded a cover of The Everly Brothers' "Sleepless Nights" together. The pair went on to tour extensively, with Hansard supporting Vedder's solo dates in 2011, 2012, 2017 and 2019, joining his backing band "Earthlings" for the 2022 album "Earthling", and performing together at a Teenage Cancer Trust show in 2024.
In short
- Glen Hansard died 29 July 2026 in a Dublin motorcycle crash.
- He recently detailed his close 15-year friendship with Eddie Vedder.
- Vedder had comforted him after a fan's suicide at his gig.
Explained simply
Glen Hansard is an Irish musician best known for his work with folk band The Frames and for co-writing and performing in the film musical "Once", which won an Oscar. Eddie Vedder is the lead singer of American rock band Pearl Jam and has also pursued a successful solo career. The two developed a friendship that has lasted over fifteen years and involved ongoing musical collaboration.
Their connection began in 2010 after a tragic incident at one of Hansard's shows when a young man died by suicide on stage. The event deeply affected Hansard, who questioned whether to continue performing. Vedder called him daily for five days during this period and later invited him to Seattle, where they recorded a cover of The Everly Brothers' "Sleepless Nights".
The two have maintained their friendship through extensive musical collaboration over the years. Hansard supported Vedder on multiple solo tours and later joined his backing band "Earthlings" for the 2022 album "Earthling". They also performed together at a Teenage Cancer Trust benefit in 2024.