The Born to Run singer played a 20-minute set at the comedy fundraiser, held in aid of wounded army veterans' charity the Bob Woodruff Foundation, before several of his possessions were sold off.

His autographed Fender Stratocaster guitar was placed up for auction alongside tickets and backstage passes to a Springsteen show and a meal with his E Street Band.

With bidding going past $200,000 (£125,000), Springsteen agreed to add a second signed guitar to the auction, as well as another pair of concert tickets - and portions of his mother's tastiest pasta dish.

The rocker's generous gesture pushed the bidding to $370,000 (£231,250) for each package of guitar, lasagna and tickets, raising $740,000 (£462,500) for the Foundation.

The ninth annual edition of the event, which also featured former Daily Show host Jon Stewart and late night TV presenter Seth Meyers, closed with another auction featuring a brand new Harley-Davidson motorcycle, which sold for $100,000 (£62,500).