From 10am on Thursday, people waited patiently to sign the book of condolences and pay their respects to Irish musician, actor and activist Glen Hansard. Amid the sadness over his death, there was plenty of laughter from those speaking about Hansard’s lively character. Many had a personal story of the Ballymun native to share. Senator and musician Frances Black was among them. “I think there’s huge sadness in the country today,” she said, describing The Frames frontman as “a beautiful soul” and a “magnet for love”. Black, who has worked with Hansard, said: “When you met Glen, he would make you feel warm. He had a lovely energy off him, there was no airs and graces about him.“He wasn’t just somebody who went out and gigged in big, huge venues. He really worked with people on the ground as well, and he really cared about homelessness and many other issues.” Catherine O’Brien (5) with her mother Charlotte Deane from Mount St signing the book of condolences in memory of Glen Hansard. Photograph: Collins Justin Cannon is a volunteer with Dublin Simon Community who has known Hansard for about 20 years. He worked with the musician during the Apollo House occupation in protest of homelessness. “Glen has done a lot for the people of Ireland. He has done a lot for the homeless,” Cannon said. When he heard of Hansard’s death, he was in disbelief: “It’s put a dark day over Dublin.” [ Glen Hansard: a singular, generous artistOpens in new window ]Dubliner Keith Maguire met The Frames frontman busking on “an ordinary night on Grafton Street”. Maguire got a photo with Hansard, describing him as “very down to Earth, a normal person”.“He said he wanted to show some younger family members what the Dublin busking scene was like,” Maguire said.The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Daryl Barron, said: “You can see the people coming through the doors here this morning, the warmth towards him.” Visitors to Dublin's Mansion House sign a book of condolence for Glen Hansard.