Matt Damon and Ben Affleck resurrected their Good Will Hunting roles, not to mention their Boston accents, in a special one night only live read from the script on Friday in New York.

John Krasinski hosted and served as a guest director for the night before an audience that benefits a non-profit arts organisation called Film Independent. Tickets ranged from $65 to $150 (£52 to £120).

He began saying the Good Will Hunting script was special to him, not only because he’s from Boston, but because it makes him emotional.

John introduced a cast to read the different roles including his wife, Emily Blunt – in Minnie Driver’s role, and Margo Martindale – reading Robin Williams’ part of a therapist who helps Matt’s emotionally damaged orphan, who also is unusually intelligent, let go of his past and realise his potential.

Keegan Michael Key and Hamilton’s Daveed Diggs also had parts.

The read kicked off with John taking Matt’s lead role of Will Hunting when Matt walked on stage and surprised the audience.

John then attempted to begin Ben’s role of Hunting’s wise-cracking friend, when he appeared.

The crowd screamed and gave a standing ovation and John took over the duty of narrator.

The reading went off script a few times, like when John would jokingly protest to Emily and Matt’s portrayal of lovers and when Ben and Matt pointed out inside jokes.

A few lines were flubbed, but the theatre was silent when Margo recited Robin’s dialogue in an emotional scene.

Good Will Hunting won Matt and Ben the Oscar for best writing of an original screenplay in 1997, and Robin won the best supporting actor Academy Award.

Live Read events began in 2011 in Los Angeles with director Jason Reitman gathering actors together to read popular scripts like Breakfast Club, The Princess Bride and Reservoir Dogs, to raise money for Film Independent.

Recordings are prohibited to preserve the exclusivity and spontaneity of the event. Live Reads are co-presented by The New York Times.