“The Book of Mormon,” a smash-hit Broadway musical made out of the unlikeliest of elements — unwavering faith, jokes about AIDS and lyrics so profane that many of its songs could not be televised — emerged as the runaway winner at the Tony Awards on Sunday. Created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone of “South Park” fame, along with the composer Robert Lopez, “Mormon” earned nine Tonys, including best musical and three more for Mr. Parker, making this Broadway newcomer as honored in one evening as Joshua Logan, the director and a writer and producer of the classic musical “South Pacific.”

A fish-out-of-water tale of missionaries in war-torn Africa, “Mormon” brought an exuberant irreverence to Broadway that seemed to rub off on the Tonys as a whole. Sunday’s broadcast, hosted by Neil Patrick Harris, featured a “did they really say that?” comic opener that was edgier than usually seen at the staid ceremony — a song-and-dance number arguing that Broadway, with its con artists, Mormons and nuns this season, is “not just for gays anymore.” And it ended with Chris Rock, a star of the nominated play “The ____________ With a Hat,” suggesting before presenting the best musical prize that a “Mormon” victory was a foregone conclusion.

“This is such a waste of time,” Mr. Rock said about the buildup. “It’s like taking a hooker to dinner.”