Beyonce set the record for the most number of Grammy trophies a female has won in one night, but lost to Taylor Swift in the top award.

Beyonce won a total of six awards tonight including Song of the Year – printing her mark in Grammy history as the most awarded female in one night. In 2004, she tied the record of five awards with Lauryn Hill, Norah Jones, and Alicia Keys. Beyonce also had the most nominations for tonight.

She won Song of the Year for “Single Ladies”. She also won Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B song for “Single Ladies”, Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for “Halo”, Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance for “At Last”, and Best Contemporary R&B Album for “I Am… Sasha Fierce”.

She might be a little disappointed though after still not getting the highest honor in the ceremony. The Album of the Year award went to Taylor Swift’s “Fearless”, which is hailed as the number one album of 2009.

Record of the Year went to Kings of Leon’s “Use Somebody”. This award should not be confused with Song of the Year. Record of the Year goes to the performer and other people behind the production of the song, while Song of the Year only goes to the composer(s).

Lady Gaga opened the show proper with her hit “Poker Face” and made a duet with Elton John using her song “Speechless” melded with John’s Your Song. Lady Gaga bagged two trophies during the pre-telecast ceremony but failed to get any of the top awards.

Another notable winners were the Black Eyed Peas winning three awards including Best Pop Vocal Album, Jay-Z who won one solo award and two other awards for his collaboration with Rihanna and Kanye West, and Maxwell who made a comeback to the music scene after being absent for eight years.

The Grammys also offered a 3-D tribute to Michael Jackson that featured his “Earth Song”. Artists sang along on the stage. His children Prince Michael and Paris accepted his posthumous lifetime achievement award.