Elton John, Billy Joel Reconcile, Songwriters Hall of Fame [PHOTO]: 'Rocket Man' & 'Piano Man' Singers Put the Past Behind Them During New York Ceremony

During last night's 44th Annual Songwriters Hall of Fame ceremony in New York, singer Elton John was presented with the Johnny Mercer Award and took some time out of his acceptance speech to talk to fellow performer and recently estranged friend Billy Joel. The two had a falling out of sorts in the media after John made a comment about Joel's songwriting and his alcoholism. It escalated a bit over the years, but after last night it looks like the two popular piano players have moved on from there.

"I didn't see you tonight Mr. Joel, but I want to see you," Sir Elton John said last night as he and longtime songwriting partner Bernie Taupin received the night's top honor.

Later on when he was introducing performers Mick Jones and Lou Gramm of Foreigner, Billy Joel responded to John saying, "Is Elton still here by the way? Anyway, we're OK. Call me. It's the same phone number."

About two years ago, Elton did not hold back in regards to his feelings about Joel's alcohol abuse in an interview with Rolling Stone.

"He's going to hate me for this, but every time he goes to rehab they've been light," he said. "When I went to rehab, I had to clean the floors. He goes to rehab where they have TVs. I love you, Billy, and this is tough love."

In a Q&A with The New York Times Magazine, Joel addressed these comments saying, "That's his opinion. I don't [write new songs] because I don't wanna. He tends to shoot off his mouth - he shoots from the hip. I think his heart is in the right place. Maybe he's trying to motivate me, to get me mad or something. He's kind of like a mom."

But it looks like the two have moved on after last night's little conversation.

When accepting his award, John stated:

"I don't mean this lightly, but when you get an Ivor Novello award or an American songwriter's award, it means so much more than a Grammy because this is where the whole process starts."