Glen Hansard to celebrate 50th birthday with livestream tonight

Glen Hansard isn't letting lockdown restrictions get in the way of his birthday celebrations. The iconic Dublin musician turns 50 today, April 21 – and will be marking the occasion with music and stories, streaming live from his Instagram (@thegingerman222) at 9pm.

Taking to Twitter, he sent out an open invitation to friends and fans, asking them to join him "for a glass, a song, and a story".

I'm turning 50, come join me for a glass, a song, and a story this Tuesday April 21st at 9pm Irish Time (4pm ET/1pm PT) on my Instagram @thegingerman222 pic.twitter.com/EMBYDWoY3K

— Glen Hansard (@Glen_Hansard) April 18, 2020

The livestream follows Glen's acclaimed appearance on The Late Late Show earlier this month. Performing alongside Colm Mac Con Iomaire, he dedicated his Oscar-winning classic 'Falling Slowly' to those in Ireland who have lost their lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Glen has also kept busy during lockdown contributing to the special Hot Press 'Stay Safe' Emergency issue, out now. In our 'Letters From Home' feature, Irish stars and cultural figures penned moving reflections on the COVID-19 crisis – with Glen noting that "this is a time to rest deeply, reflect, look around and listen."

"On a personal level, this has been a time of great connection with not only the immediate surroundings and nature, but also with friends near and far," he continued. "That connection has proven true and heartening, even deeper than before. We’ve had time not only to think, but to feel. And when things do go back to “normal”, I hope it will turn out that this time in isolation has brought us all a newfound attention and kindness to ourselves, to others and to the earth."

Read his full letter here.