Live on Letterman–the gift that keeps on giving.  Just in time for holiday giving, the folks at Letterman outdid themselves this week in securing the great Glen Hansard and his huge band for an 80-minute performance for their Live on Letterman series. We have been agog over Hansard’s live sets ever since catching him (embarrassingly, for the first time) and a large band in 2012 at the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival. To see what we saw and what you should catch the next time you have the opportunity, watch this outstanding performance below.  What we’ve learned is that Hansard gives everything he’s got every single time he performs; if you don’t believe us, watch as he exhorts and tears up (in the 24th minute) during the heart-rending Bird of Sorrow.

Along the way, watch Hansard wax about the Beatles, question the use of the phrase “Happy Holidays,” and perform songs from his last album Rhythm and Repose, and brand new EP Drive All Night.  During the set Hansard and his great, huge band perform Love Don’t Leave Me Waiting, the new Lonely Deserter, When Your Mind’s Made Up (from the movie/Broadway show Once), Bird Of Sorrow, Low Rising, another new song Her Mercy, Song Of Good Hope, Drive All Night, and, finally, Hansard’s popular hit Falling Slowly.

Happy Hansard Holidays!  (Apologies Glen.)