(Updated: 3/3/10, 11:57p to add John Wayne clip) Aging Hollywood legends showing up at the Oscars or receiving honorary awards are superbly memorable events. And other times, it’s a simple performance that does the trick.

Tripp Burton

1979, 52nd Academy Awards

The Duke came back, in the last year of his life, to a rousing standing ovation. He is an American Icon, and watching him succumb to the love of Hollywood is still a heart-breaking moment.

Peter J. Patrick

1990, 63rd Academy Awards

A frail Myrna Loy accepts her honorary Oscar in her NYC apartment.

Wesley Lovell

2006, 79th Academy Awards

When the Academy gets it right, there’s satisfaction, but when the performance is more special than the award, it’s magical. Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova performed their soon-to-be-Oscar-winning song from Once, “Falling Slowly”, before the packed Kodak theater audience. Not only was it an impressive performance, technically proficient and moving, the audience responded so positively that it gave me tingles. Again, I was unable to find the actual video, but here’s the awarding of the Original Song trophy to Hansard and Irglova.