The Edge took to the podium first to speak about Mandela, telling the crowd, "We we have been working for President Mandela, since the '70s. Since we were teenagers." He explained that the first concert the band ever played was in support of ending the apartheid movement, remarking that 35 years later they were able to write a song for the man that inspired their activism.

Larry Mullen Jr. followed by telling the crowd that thanks to Mandela, "holy Catholic Ireland" was able to eventually see peace.

Adam Clayton than thanked Brian Burton, better known as Danger Mouse, for helping them make the song, and Coldplay frontman Chris Martins for helping them "work the song out."

Bono than took to the mic to talk about the band's great connection with the track and Mandela, who died Dec. 5 at his home at the age of 95.

"It really is personal for us, very, very personal," Bono said. "This man turned our life upside down, right side up. He was a man who refused to hate, not because he didn't have hate or anger or these things, but that he thought love could do a better job."

He then added, "We wrote a love song and that's kind of what's extraordinary about the film. It's this dysfunctional love story, that's why you should see it�You know about the global statesman, you don't know about the man."