Irish actors Chris O’Dowd and Sarah Greene have been nominated for Tony Awards, Broadway’s answer to the Oscars.

O’Dowd, from Boyle, Co Roscommon, received the nomination for best performance by an actor in a leading role for his performance in John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men opposite Hollywood star James Franco.

Cork actress Sarah Greene, who starred in the 2011 film The Guard , was nominated for best performance by an actress in a featured role for her performance in a revival of Martin McDonagh’s The Cripple of Inishmaan .

The play, which stars Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe and Irish actor and comedian Pat Shortt, received six nominations, including best revival of a play.

A play by veteran Irish-American playwright John Patrick Shanley set in Ireland called Outside Mullingar was nominated for Best Play.

O’Dowd faces strong competition from fellow nominees Bryan Cranston, star of hit television drama Breaking Bad , for his acclaimed performance as former president Lyndon Johnson in All The Way and Neil Patrick Harris for his role in the punk musical, Hedwig and the Angry Inch.

“Was just about dealing with the excitement of being given the part,” O’Dowd said later on Twitter.