Leonard Cohen has paid tribute to Marianne Ihlen, the woman who inspired his song "So Long Marianne' who died last week.

Marianne Ilhen, who was often referred to as Cohen's muse, died last week and Cohen took to Facebook to pay tribute to the woman.

The Facebook post describes the "overwhelming response" since the death of Ihlen. Cohen's Facebook page has been opened up to those who knew Ihlen to post their "thoughts, memories, poems etc about Marianne" on the page.

The post on Cohen's official Facebook page, also indicated that he wanted a message sent to him by Jan Christian Mollestad about Ihlen's last moments to be shared. Mollestad is currently working on a biographical film about Ihlen. The full letter is posted below:

"Dear Leonard
Marianne slept slowly out of this life yesterday evening. Totally at ease, surrounded by close friends.
Your letter came when she still could talk and laugh in full consciousness. When we read it aloud, she smiled as only Marianne can. She lifted her hand, when you said you were right behind, close enough to reach her.
It gave her deep peace of mind that you knew her condition. And your blessing for the journey gave her extra strength. Jan and her friends who saw what this message meant for her, will all thank you in deep gratitude for replying so fast and with such love and compassion.
In her last hour I held her hand and hummed Bird on a Wire, while she was breathing so lightly. And when we left he room, after her soul had flown out of the window for new adventures, we kissed her head and whispered your everlasting words
So long, Marianne"

More to explore:

Watch Zaki Ibrahim cover Leonard Cohen's 'Show me the Place'

Watch Rufus Wainwright and Choir! Choir! Choir!'s spine-tingling performance of 'Hallelujah'