U2's Bono, Glen Hansard & Friends Went Caroling in Dublin (VIDEO)

Posted on Dec 27th 2012 9:00AM by Jason MacNeil
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In what has become a sort of festive tradition, U2's Bono took to Dublin's Grafton Street on Christmas Eve alongside a host of other musicians to sing some Yuletide (and not so Yuletide) favorites before surprised fans and onlookers.

As reported on fan site atu2.com -- and through a string of YouTube clips documenting the event -- Bono took part in four of the songs including "Silent Night" and "I Believe in Father Christmas" before mashing up U2's "Desire" with the Buddy Holly hit "Not Fade Away" with The Swell Season's Glen Hansard beside him on guitar.

Other performers included Sinead O'Connor, singer-songwriter Damien Rice, Paddy Casey, Lisa Hannigan and Liam O'Maonlai. A full video of the 13-minute performance complete with police presence and a horde of camera flashes -- is available on YouTube with a chorus of "Shhs" drowning out Bono in the first few lyrics of "Christmas (Please Come Home)," which kicked things off.

Bono concluded his appearance with a wave and giving Hansard a peck on the cheek as the remaining musicians carried on with a cover of Elvis Presley's "That's Alright Mama." All of the money they collected went to charity.

U2 are off the road after completing their mammoth 360 world tour last year. The group are reportedly working on new material with longtime manager Paul McGuinness telling the Irish Independent that a new album in 2013 would be expected.

Watch Bono & Friends Busking on Christmas Eve Video