The Frames cruise towards Christmas with a four-night residency at Vicar St.
The run starts on November 28 and includes a special tribute to Mic Cristopher (29), which finds Glen and the boys joined by a plethora of musical friends.
Meanwhile, the band have been beavering away on their fifth studio album.
"It's up early and work all day on arrangements and new ideas," Hansard reveals. "It feels like there's a change of mood, a more positive air to the whole thing. The music is flowing and we feel like a band. Also, it's great to be working with David Odlum and Craig Ward again. They're two valuable friends and getting straight into the work is easy with such familiar allies."