For months, nine-time Tony winner Tommy Tune has merely been a reference by the coat check boy in the Broadway show "It's Only a Play" -- until this week, when Tune made an unexpected appearance during the curtain call.

The show stars Nathan Lane, Matthew Broderick, Stockard Channing and Broadway newbie Micah Stock. Stock plays the scene-stealing coat boy at a glittering opening night party who brings up the coats of celebrities we never see: "It's the cast of Rock of Ages!" "It's Lady Gaga!" "Liza."

Then he brings up a fur coat that only a 6-and-a-half-foot tall actor would wear: ""Don’t tell me, let me guess: Tommy Tune’s!”

It was a poignant moment at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre when Tune surprised Stock onstage during the curtain call to celebrate Stock's Tony nomination for featured actor in a play, offering support and encouragement to the actor just beginning his Broadway career.

Tune is receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award this year, making it his 10th Tony.

"It's Only a Play" runs through June 7th.