See Joni Mitchell’s Touching Reaction to Star-Studded Tribute at Gershwin Prize Ceremony

Cyndi Lauper, Brandi Carlile, and other big names performed Mitchell's classics.

Joni Mitchell was immensely touched to be honored with the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song.

Sunday Morning shared a preview of the big event on Instagram, including Mitchell's reaction when she took the microphone. "My God, it's overwhelming," said Mitchell onstage while accepting the award at a ceremony on March 1. "It's just a beautiful event for me. So many people that I care about are here tonight from different parts of my life. New friends, old friends. It's just kind of thrilling. Thank you all for coming."

As reported by PEOPLE, a star-studded list of guests paid tribute to the icon at the DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., including Annie Lennox, James Taylor, Cyndi Lauper, Brandi Carlile, Marcus Mumford, Graham Nash, Ledisi, Diana Krall, Angélique Kidjo, and Herbie Hancock.

The ceremony also included performances by noteworthy musical guests, who performed some of Mitchell's classics.

Most of the artists opted for songs off Mitchell's iconic 1971 LP Blue, including Mumford, who played "Carey;" Lauper, who gave a rendition of the title track; Herbie Hancock and Ledisi, who teamed up to perform "River;" Nash, who performed "A Case Of You;" and Taylor, who sang "California."

Taylor's track choice was particularly touching since the musician had previously told The Guardian that it's his favorite song by Mitchell, even though it brings back memories of how their short-lived relationship fell apart.

Other performances included Lennox doing "Both Sides Now" off Clouds; Kidjo singing "Help Me" from Court and Spark; Krall performing the title track from For The Roses; and Carlile opting for a more contemporary option: the title track off Mitchell's 2007 album, Shine.

Mitchell also gave a performance of her own, singing "Summertime."

The complete event will premiere on PBS on March 31.