Tonys 2014: Neil Patrick Harris wins lead actor in a musical

Neil Patrick Harris won the Tony for lead actor in a musical on Sunday for his portrayal of a transgender rock singer in “Hedwig and the Angry Inch.”

“This is crazy pants,” Harris said as he accepted the award, adding that Hedwig was a role “I was terrified of.”

Harris, a four-time Tony Awards host, returned to Broadway after the conclusion of his long-running TV series “How I Met Your Mother” to star in the first Broadway production of “Hedwig,” which opened April 22 at the Belasco Theatre.

After it was announced that he would play the “internationally ignored song stylist” following an ex-lover turned successful rock star’s concert tour, Harris told The Times “you have to be so comfortable in your skin as Hedwig, and I have no idea how to accomplish that yet.”

It seems Harris has found his comfort zone as his portrayal of Hedwig has also earned him a shared Drama Desk Award for outstanding actor in a musical this year, as well as a Drama League Award for distinguished performance.

Harris, a first-time Tony nominee, won the award over Jefferson Mays, his Drama Desk Award co-winner who portrays eight heirs of the D’Ysquith family in “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder.”

The other nominees were Ramin Karimloo, who played Jean Valjean in the revival of “ Les Misérables,” Andy Karl in “Rocky” and Bryce Pinkham, who portrays the ambitious and homicidal Monty Navarro in “A Gentleman’s Guide.”

The 2014 Tony Awards are being held at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Hugh Jackman is hosting the televised ceremony.