According to The Herald, the award was established by the students of DIT societies in memory of the author and to acknowledge those who have demonstrated excellence in the arts, culture and the media.

“Behan paved the way for Irish talent abroad. We can’t think of a better Irishman to be the first recipient of the Brendan Behan Award – Glen Hansard, an Irish treasure,” the chair of DIT Student Media and Arts Committee, Tara Kelleher, said.

Hansard, who won an Academy Award for his song 'Falling Slowly' in the flim Once, will be presented with the inaugural DIT award in the Gleeson Theatre in Dublin this evening.

Glen Hansard will also play two dates in Vicar Street, Dublin this month. You can find tickets here: ticketmaster.ie .