Glen Hansard joined several others outside David Bowie’s New York apartment on a rather chilly night to pay homage to the fallen legend. Hansard brought his guitar with him, and serenaded those mourning the loss with Bowie’s 1980 cut, “Ashes to Ashes” as a fan-made memorial with flowers, notes and photos filled the street. 

“I really just felt the need like everyone else who was drawn toward somewhere to grieve,” Hansard told Rolling Stone. “I just wanted to sing his song there. It’s very personal. I didn’t look anyone in the eye, I couldn’t. The honesty of the second verse of that song has always moved me deeply; I’ve loved the song since I was a child. Bowie was the one we chose to raise us in our rooms, when we first closed the door on our parents and the world.”

Watch the cover below.