So we’re finally finding out what exactly happened when Bret Michaels was knocked out by a rogue set piece at the Tonys Sunday night. Bret broke his nose and split his lip in the incident, and his representative is claiming that despite his injuries, Bret loved performing, and was “honored” to even be invited to the Tonys. He also claims that when he got knocked out, Shrek, Donkey, and Liza Minnelli helped him with his injuries. Now I feel bad that I watched Bret getting knocked on his ass about a dozen times yesterday. Even if Bret was just invited for kitsch value, he sounds like he saw it as a true honor.

Bret Michaels may have broken his nose and busted his lip during a scenery-related malfunction at the Tonys on Sunday – but the Poison frontman and Rock of Love star left with his sense of humor intact.

“He told me, ‘All I remember is Shrek and the donkey helping me up, and Liza [Minnelli] giving me a towel,'” says his rep, Joann Mignano. “And Bret was laughing when he heard [Tonys host] Neil Patrick Harris said he gave new meaning to ‘headbanging.’ ”

Michaels, 46, was hit by a large sign descending from the ceiling as he exited the stage following Poison’s performance of “Nothin’ But a Good Time” with the Rock of Ages cast, and was tended to by paramedics offstage. He required three stitches to his bloodied lip, and his rep says that X-rays later revealed the rocker fractured his nose.

Despite his injuries, she says, “Bret did not walk off the stage angry or in a hissy fit. He was honored to be asked to participate and be amongst Broadway royalty, like Liza and Sir Elton [John]. He did the red carpet, and he was taking pictures with Angela Lansbury backstage. He was so happy to be there.”

During the hours after accident, Michaels continued to suffer neck and back pains, so he told his rep that he was seeking further medical attention to be on the safe side.

“His neck was hurt in an accident years ago, so he’s being cautious,” she says, adding that she does not know the results of his tests yet. “He said he wanted to make sure this was all looked at and taken care of, and I said it was the right thing to do.”

The rep also refuted a Tonys spokesperson account that the rocker “missed his mark.”

“By all means, he did not miss his mark,” says Mignano. “He did exactly what they asked him to do in rehearsal, where everything went fine. And when the sign came down [at the show], it smacked him on the head.”

For now, the rocker, who’s currently on a solo tour, is taking things a day at a time.

“He may have to cancel his next show – we’ll see,” says his rep. “Bret is a tough son of a bitch, but he’s really banged up.”

[From People]

I would be psyched to meet Angela Lansbury too! Who am I kidding? If I had been invited to the Tonys, I would have totally geeked out on everyone there. Even Elton John, who I have no desire to meet.

In any case, I’m glad Bret wasn’t too hurt, and it sounds like he’ll be able to come out of this experience just fine. Let this be a lesson to all metal bands: when invited to the Tonys, keep your eyes peeled for massive, rapidly descending set pieces. Heads up, headbangers!

Photo credit: WENN.com