He may have come away empty-handed at the 54thGrammy Awards on Sunday… But Bruno Mars still managed to be the night’s golden boy!

The 26-year-old part-Puerto Rican singer took the Grammy stage at Los Angeles’ Staples Center for a high-octane performance of his song “Runaway” during the show.

Singing underneath a marquee emblazoned with his name, Mars—looking dapper in a 24-karat gold bowtie and blazer—helped lift the mood in the arena, which was grieving the death of Whitney Houston.

His performance may have focused on the party, but Mars still managed to show some love for Houston by giving her a shout-out mid-song.

“Yo, tonight we celebrate. We celebrate the beautiful Miss Whitney Houston,” shouted Mars from the stage. “Get off your rich asses and let’s have fun!”

Mars was backed by a full band—complete with a horn section—that paid homage to his love of music from the ’60s.

Mars’ hit song “Grenade” was nominated for Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance, while his album, Doo-Wops & Hooligans, was up for Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album.