Other honorees included Harry Styles, Jack Antonoff & Florence Welch, Charli XCX and others.
Abels won the Pulitzer Prize for Music eight days ago. Things are going his way.
They are just the fourth hosting team to repeat as co-hosts of the show.
Tobe Nwigwe, Tracee Ellis Ross, Anderson Cooper and more also gave pithy five-word speeches.
The rapper is scheduled to attend the June 2 event, as are Mya and Sylvia Rhone.
The great singer died on May 14, 1998. His music never will.
Phil Wickham, Brandon Lake Lead this year's slate of nominees.
This is the second time in the past three years that external events have thrown the Tony Awards timetable into chaos.
The entertainer of the year winner stayed after the event for an impromptu, down-to-earth moment.
The show in Frisco, Texas, featured some surprise appearances.
