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Irish Singer-songwriter Glen Hansard Dies in Crash

8/1/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Glen Hansard died this week at age 56 in a motorcycle crash.
He performed a Once reunion with Markéta Irglová at Radio City Music Hall in August 2023.
During the show he invited Boston busker Gabriel onstage for an unplugged duet of “Say It to Me Now.”
Hansard was known for breaking performer-audience barriers, playing surprise sets in intimate venues despite his large-venue fame.

History

Historical Context

MTV launched its Unplugged series in 1989, giving artists a stage for acoustic sets. Nirvana’s December 1993 Unplugged episode, later issued as MTV Unplugged in New York on November 1 1994, sold 6.8 million copies by March 1995 and reshaped concert expectations. The 2023 Radio City reunion of Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová echoes that precedent, proving large-venue acoustic shows can become cultural milestones.

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Story summary

Glen Hansard died this week at age 56 in a motorcycle crash.
He performed a Once reunion with Markéta Irglová at Radio City Music Hall in August 2023.
During the show he invited Boston busker Gabriel onstage for an unplugged duet of “Say It to Me Now.”
Hansard was known for breaking performer-audience barriers, playing surprise sets in intimate venues despite his large-venue fame.

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