Love story that wooed Oscar wins Tonys too

President Michael D Higgins led tributes last night to the team behind an Irish musical which triumphed at the Tony Awards in New York.

Once, the musical adaptation of the 2006 Oscar-winning film about the unlikely love story between a Dublin street performer and a Czech piano player, swept the boards at the Broadway equivalent of the Oscars, winning eight out a possible 11 nominations on Sunday night.

It dominated, beating hotly tipped Disney Theatrical Productions’ Newsies, to the best musical award, Irish writer Enda Walsh won the best book of a musical award, John Tiffany won best director, and Steve Kazee won best actor in a musical award.