Bono, Glen Hansard, Damien Rice and Mundy made up the remarkable group, who joined other volunteers who were busking to raise money for the Simon Community. Hot Press caught them performing three songs, before the set finished, prompting a huge and sustained round of applause from astounded passers-by.

“That was incredible,” one stunned onlooker told Hot Press. “I was out innocently doing my shopping when I saw a crowd gathered. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I had a closer look – you might expect to see someone like Mundy doing something like this for charity, but there were three huge stars there, giving it loads. It really added to the Christmas eve atmosphere. The only problem is I had one more present to get but the shop is closed now!”

By the time the set was finished, Bono had dematerialised into the night air, but Hot Press chatted to Glen Hansard, who had clearly enjoyed the opportunity to return to his roots, in a reprise of his role in the Oscar winning Once. He signed autographs, had his picture taken with kids and chatted to fans.

Among other songs, the superstar buskers played Bob Dylan’s ‘Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door’ and ‘You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere’ and a version of Mic Christopher’s ‘Heyday’, which had hundreds singing along, with Glen Hansard – Mic’s best friend – leading the line. The crowds responded by donating generously, with one Grafton Street shopper happily handing over €50 for the privilege of having seen one of the most star studded busking sessions in aeons.

The Hot Press Newsdesk