Deborra-Lee Furness has surprised her husband, Hugh Jackman, on stage in New York to award the Australian actor with a "Special Tony Award."

The Tony Awards Administration Committee honored Jackman at the 2012 Tony Awards for his contribution to the Broadway community, both as a performer and humanitarian, his tireless dedication to charitable works of many types and his personal generosity of spirit.

Jackman, a Tony Award winner and three-time Tony Awards host, single-handedly raised more than $A862,025 for Broadway Cares by auctioning off his undershirts after each performance in "Hugh Jackman, Back on Broadway."

The "Wolverine" star was clearly shocked that his wife had presented him the award.

"It's the first time my wife's been able to keep a secret. She said she was going to the bathroom and would be back in a minute," Jackman told the audience during his acceptance speech.

The 43-year old actor from Sydney made his Broadway debut in 2003 with his role in "The Boy From Oz" and he then went on to win the Tony for that performance that was based on the life of Australian singer/songwriter Peter Allen.

So, what else is in store for actor Hugh Jackman? As previously announced, the actor will star and participate in a staged reading as the title role of the first act of the Broadway-bound musical "Houdini" which is scheduled for a Broadway bow in the 2013-2014 season.

"I'm very excited," Jackman told NY1 on the red carpet before the 66th Annual Tony Awards.

"Aaron Sorkin is writing the book, Stephen Schwartz doing the music, Jack O'Brien directing and David Rockwell providing scenic design. We have a very exciting group, and we're about to do a first act read-through in about a week," the actor shared.

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