Once stage musical up for 11 Tony awards

The musical version of Oscar-winning film Once leads the race for the 2012 Tony awards for Broadway theatre, having received 11 nominations.

Actors Steve Kazee and Cristin Milioti, who play the 'Guy' and 'Girl' roles created on screen by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, are both shortlisted.

Gavin and Stacey star James Corden is up for leading actor in a play for his work in the Broadway transfer of West End hit One Man, Two Guvnors.

The Tonys will be presented on 10 June.

British talent is also recognised in the leading actress in a play category, where Tracie Bennett is cited for her portrayal of Judy Garland in End of the Rainbow.

Two other Broadway musicals, Porgy and Bess and Nice Work If You Can Get It, have both received 10 nominations.

Peter and the Starcatcher, a play exploring the early life of Peter Pan, follows them closely with nine nominations.

But Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, the most expensive musical staged on Broadway to date, gets just two nods, for its scenic design and costume.

Philip Seymour Hoffman, Frank Langella, James Earl Jones and Cynthia Nixon are among other stars recognised.

Neil Patrick Harris, star of TV sitcom How I Met Your Mother, will host this year's awards.

Released in 2006, Once told of a busking musician who falls for a Czech immigrant while performing on the streets of Dublin.

The film went on to win the Oscar for best song at the 2008 Academy Awards.