Neil Patrick Harris To Host Tony Awards Once Again

Neil Patrick Harris Returns As Tony Host

"Here's some cool news," Neil Patrick Harris tweeted Monday evening, directing fans to the news that he will return as host of the Tony Awards this year.

His tweet linked to a New York Times footnote announcing that he will run the show for the third time. Harris first hosted the Tonys in 2009, and again in 2011, injecting new life into an awards show not typically followed by a TV audience.

His efforts in 2011 were mostly well-received -- the Los Angeles Times called the "How I Met Your Mother" star a "wickedly witty" host, in a show "sprinkled liberally with TV stars to keep mainstream audiences interested." The show roped in 6.9 million viewers, which, while not a big increase over the year previous, saw a 9 percent increase in younger audiences (the 18-49-year-old crowd).

"I'm thrilled to be a part of this year's Tony Awards,” Harris said in a statement. “Not only will I be shining a spotlight on the best that Broadway has to offer, but hopefully I'll score some free house seats to a show or 5."

The Tony Award nominations will be announced on May 1 in a live webcast at the Tony Awards website. This awards will broadcast live on CBS from the Beacon Theater in New York on June 10 at 8/7c.

Watch Harris' "Broadway’s not just for gays anymore" opening number at the 2011 Tony Awards:

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