EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – Patrons of a downtown bar in this city of 24,000 people received an unexpected treat when actor Tim Robbins strolled in and starting jamming with a local band.

The 48-year-old, who was in Edwardsville for the filming of “The Return,” brought a guitar and played classic rock and rhythm and blues Wednesday evening at Laurie’s Place, according to a story in the (Alton) Telegraph.

“I have never had a big celebrity come in and sit in with the band,” said bar owner Laurie Chavez.

Robbins had wrapped up filming the drama, also starring Rachel McAdams, before coming into the bar for the impromptu concert.

He played songs including “Backstreets” by Bruce Springsteen.

The crowd, snapping pictures with cell phone cameras and filming with small camcorders, grew as the news of Robbins’ mini-concert spread.

After the actor was told by a newspaper editor that he was going to be on the front page of the Telegraph for the surprise concert, Robbins cracked a joke.

“It’s good to be put on the front for that rather than something else,” he said.

Before the evening was over, Robbins signed autographs and posed for pictures.

“I gave him a T-shirt and had him autograph my wall,” Chavez said. “He then shook my hand. He fit right in here, without a doubt.”