Bono was a surprise guest at the second New York Against Violence benefit concert.

But he was only the third of three surprises as fans waited the arrival of headlining Beastie Boys. First REM's Michael Stipe took the stage and Moby took up his acoustic guitar to accompany Stipe on a cover of the Velvet Underground's 'All Tomorrow's Parties'.

The pair followed up the song with a rendition of Neil Young's 'Helpless', and then, to everyone's surprise, halfway through the number, Bono wondered out from backstage bearing a makeshift sign echoing the song's title, 'Helpless'.

Bono joined Stipe on vocals for the rest of the song, including a momentary snatch of the opening verse from Bob Dylan's 'Knocking on Heaven's Door'.

Performances from N.E.R.D., Mos Def, The Roots, Pakistani artist Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and a DJ set by Afrika Bambaataa rounded out the sold-out show. it followed Sunday night's benefit, which also featured the Beastie Boys as headliners, along with Cibo Matto, The B-52s and The Strokes.

As at Sunday's show, the Beastie Boys performed a number of hits, including 'Slow and Low', 'Shake Your Rump', 'Sure Shot' and 'Intergalactic', often rhyming over newer tracks, supplied by Mixmaster Mike, including a performance of 'So What'cha Want' laid over the music from Missy Elliott's ubiquitous 'Get Ur Freak On'.

Proceeds from both shows will go to disaster relief funds established by the New York Association for New Americans (NYANA) and the New York Women's Foundation (NYWF) in the wake of the September 11 attacks.