How Hansard called out division, busked for the homeless and marched for Ukraine
By Gráinne Ní Aodha, Press Association
Award-winning musician Glen Hansard spoke out against divisive rhetoric over housing during one of his famous charity busks on the streets of Dublin.
In the first, post-pandemic gig in aid of the Dublin Simon Community, he asked people to stand with the people of Ukraine months after Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022.
He told the hundreds gathered at the Gaiety Theatre, on Christmas Eve in 2022, that he would dedicate Take Heart to the people of Ukraine.
“Thank you everybody for the first Christmas back in a few years,” Hansard said.
“We need to open our arms, we need to open our hearts to the people who need us,” he said, adding that there should not be division between those who are homeless and those seeking asylum.
“They shouldn’t be mutually exclusive.”
Two Ukrainian singers, Ana and Alex, joined Hansard on stage and sang a Ukrainian carol.
In 2025, Hansard attended a march through Dublin to mark three years since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Asked by the Press Association why he was attending the protest, he said it was to show “solidarity, plain and simple”.
When asked whether he wanted to comment further, he smiled and shook his head.
Hansard has taken part in several protests in Ireland, including: the Raise The Roof movement; the anti-austerity water charges protests in 2014; and the Christmas Eve charity busks he began 16 years ago.
In 2023, Hansard said it was an honour and a blessing to be performing at the free outdoor gig.
“What this is all about is singing a few songs to raise some money for shelter for people, brothers and sisters.
“I’m so grateful to everybody who shows up every year and what they bring is just phenomenal.”
Hansard told the crowd: “Thanks so much, the greatest gift you can give anybody is your time and attention – this has been wonderful.”
The gigs went on a two-year hiatus over the pandemic and, instead, artists including Hansard gathered in St Patrick’s Cathedral for a musical event that was available to view online.
