There has been a mammoth shift in awareness and perception of Mr Cohen in this country. 30 years ago, even 20 years ago, if you were to mention his name, the response would typically be Leonard who?? At times and in certain locations or environments, it felt to me like I was some sort of "voice in the wilderness" speaking out in vain! It was usually only the university educated, folk music or counterculture types who had any awareness of him. Moreover, some of those who were aware of him and his music, were often enough disparagingly dismissive of it by typically making such comments as "oh yeah, music to slash wrists by"!
Now it seems he is on the radar screen of broader popular culture, particularly for younger people and on the whole is far more positively viewed by the current generation of 20 to 30 year olds. I think there is a lot more openness to his style of music and the honesty of his voice or message strikes more of an immediate chord with them, but that's just my passing and initial analysis concerning this change.
Mind you, the advent of the Internet and contemporary communication modes are also a big contributor to awareness across the board, without a shadow of a doubt. His music being covered by so many artists and popularised by singers such as Jeff Buckley, along with its inclusion in so many movie soundtracks, have also clearly played a major role in this awareness change. 
Cheers,
Andrew
My excuse is that I'm going to so many concerts, I don't know when I'm coming and going!!
