WATCH: Rosie O'Donnell Honored with Well-Deserved Humanitarian Award at The Tony's

The Tony Awards gave back to Broadway superfan Rosie O'Donnell, who received an honorary Tony, the Isabelle Stevenson Award, which is presented "annually to a member of the theatre community who has made a substantial contribution of volunteered time and effort on behalf of one or more humanitarian, social service or charitable organizations."

O'Donnell was recognized for her commitment to New York City's public school children through her work with Rosie's Theater Kids, the arts education program that provides performing arts training to underserved students.

The honor is named after Isabelle Stevenson, late president of the American Theater Wing, which presents the Tonys with the Broadway League.

"The best thing that ever happened to me in my life was getting to grow up on Long Island, because just a Long Island Railroad train away was the magic and beauty that made me dream of a life better than the one I was living in," said O'Donnell in her acceptance speech about her longtime passion for Broadway. "To this day, sitting in a velvet seat and hearing the orchestra tune up is better than Prozac for me."

O'Donnell, who produced the Broadway musical Taboo and performed in Grease, Seussical, and Fiddler on the Roof, has hosted the Tonys three times. 

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See a full list of this year's winners and nominees here.

Watch O'Donnell's acceptance speech, which did not air during the telecast, below.