Atlanta’s own Sir Elton John’s musical “Billy Elliot” won the top prize at Sunday night’s 63rd annual Tony Awards.

The show’s producers credited John, a early supporter of the original modestly budgeted British film for suggesting it be turned into a musical.

In his acceptance  speech, John graciously acknowledged the evening’s Best Score winner: “First of all, I would really like to congratulate the writers of ‘Next to Normal.’ … Writing musicals is about teamwork. Thank you for accepting us so beautifully on Broadway. We came to you at a difficult time economically and you opened your hearts and your wallets to us. Thank you.”

The evening’s biggest scene stealers, however?

When David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik, and Kiril Kulish, the pint-sized trio of actors who trade off playing the title role in the Broadway hit “Billy Elliot,” made Tonys history Sunday night by jointing winning the award for Best Actor in a Musical, they neatly stole the show away from adults.

The three lads stood at the microphone with Tonys in hand, clearly flummoxed by what to say. As the audience laughed, the boys tried to calm their nerves by charmingly thanking all of their families and dance teachers as composer John and his husband David Furnish (who was rocking some retro 1970s ruffles in his formal wear white shirt) gave the actors a standing ovation.