A new release came today from the late Glen Hansard, a cover of “Bottle of Smoke” by Shane MacGowan. The track is a part of 20th Century Paddy – The Songs of Shane MacGowan, a tribute album honoring the iconic Irish singer. As Consequence reports, the single was recorded for the album in October 2024, with Hansard being one of many artists to sign up for the tribute album. A lyric video was released for the cover.

While Hansard is one of many to be a part of the tribute album, he held a special connection with MacGowan in life. Famously, Hansard joined Lisa O’Neill to perform “Fairytale of New York” at MacGowan’s 2023 funeral (with O’Neill also performing “Old Note” at Hansard’s funeral in August). The jovial and energetic nature of the cover brings a more upbeat light to the kinship the artists shared in life and honors the memory of them both, with the video showing images of both artists and the ending showing memorial photos of Hansard and MacGowan respectively. The cover of the song off The Pogues’ 1988 If I Should Fall from Grace with God stands now as a highlight of the tribute album. “I’m eternally grateful to Glen for being such an incredible friend to both myself and Shane and for being such an integral part of making this album possible,” said Victoria Mary Clarke, MacGowan’s widow. “He did a magnificent version of ‘Bottle of Smoke’ and he infused it with all of the soul and spirit and passion that he was famous for.”

The album – which also features contributions from Bruce Springsteen, U2, Tom Waits, Hozier and more – also shows the late musicians’ commitment to aiding the homeless in Dublin, as at least 50% of artist royalties from the album will benefit Dublin Simon Community. 20th Century Paddy is due out November 13th.