Sitting on the side of the street in Sicily, a busker sat playing his guitar as passersby walked right by him. It seemed that no one at all realized that this was Glen Hansard – lead singer of the Frames, and composer and lead actor in the musical ‘Once.’ As he began to sing his song ‘Her Mercy,’ it clearly didn’t matter that no one recognized him, as his music still drew in two listeners. When Music Man readers see who went to sit and listen to him, it will melt their hearts.
As Glen played, a mother pushed her baby son in a pushchair along the street. When the baby heard Glen playing, he turned to look at him with wide eyes. Then, the mother stopped and unstrapped the baby from the pushchair, lifting him so he could watch properly. The mother and baby shared a heartwarming moment as they watched Glen sing together, and viewers of the online video couldn’t believe how entranced the baby was, one commenting, “Something magical is happening here.”
I found it especially moving to return to this video after Glen’s recent passing on the 29th of July, 2026. I felt that this was a perfect example of how Glen’s music touched people’s hearts. It didn’t matter whether he was playing to a stadium of thousands or on the streets of Sicily for only two audience members; he gave every performance his all and brought people together with his music. I’m sure that this is a moment that both mother and baby will treasure for a very long time.
Music Man fans who love ‘Once’ are sure to appreciate the performance even more than most. Glen’s character in the musical was a busker, so seeing Glen busking himself seems like a touching nod to his most famous performance. Since his passing, many other buskers have taken to performing songs from the musical in tribute to his life and work. Kayla Belle and Rhys McPhillips’ performance of ‘Falling Slowly’ on the streets of Dublin is one such tribute that has been garnering attention online.
It is hard to quantify the impact of one person’s music, but videos like these help us to remember why Glen Hansard was so beloved. His music touched the hearts of others, whether coming together to listen or to play his songs themselves. With tributes pouring in and fans flocking to videos online to remember Glen’s performances, it is without a doubt that Glen’s legacy will continue to touch hearts and inspire musicians for a long time to come.
Glen Hansard’s ability to touch hearts — whether on a Sicilian pavement or a stadium stage — is beautifully captured here. To celebrate his music and legacy, find useful links below to watch the video and discover more about his work.