PERFORMING live on stage with your idol is every aspiring musician's dream. So when a young Kilbarchan busker was invited to do just that alongside one of his music heroes he was more than happy to oblige.

Murdo Mitchell, 15, of Easwald Bank, was "completely starstruck" after singer-songwriter Glen Hansard stopped to listen to him play in Glasgow's Buchanan Street, a spot where the Johnstone High pupil has been busking for the past four years.

The Irish star was so impressed by the teenager's talent that he gave him a bundle of free tickets to his Celtic Connections gig at the Old Fruit Market that evening-where he then surprised Murdo by asking him to get up on stage.

The ecstatic schoolboy told The Gazette: "It was completely unexpected.

"Glen Hansard is one of my favourite artists and has been ever since I heard his music in his Oscar-winning film Once a couple of years ago.

"He was actually one of the inspirations for me to start making my own music. It was just amazing to meet him in person."

Murdo admitted that he "had no idea" Hansard would bring him up on stage and said that he is still in shock after being asked to join him in the impromptu performance.

"I was just amazed when he shouted my name to go up on stage." he beamed.

"I didn't know what to do so just sort of improvised and he gave me his guitar.

"The entire band started then playing alongside me.

It was probably the biggest crowd I've ever seen despite often getting hundreds of people crowd around me when I'm busking in Glasgow.

"I got a real buzz from it and I could see my dad cheering me on in the crowd. I still can't believe it was real. It was an experience I'll never forget."

The young artist's confidence has now grown tremendously since the life-changing experience and he says that he hopes to begin selling some of his songs via iTunes over the next few months.

Murdo continued: "I have played a few gigs already but would love to become famous one day.

"I already have quite a good fan base and around 1,600 friends on my Facebook music page which is exciting.

"I also have a fan base called 'The Murdettes' on Twitter which is mad but also really nice. It's good to get a bit of recognition."