WATCH:Simon Cowell Brought to Tears After Father of 6’s Moving Performance

Simon Cowell might be harsh, but he has a heart of gold (ish). The American’s Got Talent star was so moved by a father of six’s performance that he earned Simon’s Golden Buzzer — a rarity indeed.

Michael Ketterer is a pediatric nurse living with his wife and six kids in Orange County, Calif. He wowed the judges his incredible voice and emotional backstory. A father of six (one biological and five adopted), Michael was the last act of the night and belted out an emotional rendition of James Bay’s “Us” that captivated the audience and earned a standing ovation when he sang the final notes.

“As a dad, I can’t imagine [doing] what you’ve done, and the fact that you’re on this show and you really need this. You’re a really, really special guy,” Simon said. “There’s just something about you.

“That was one of the most beautiful moments I’ve ever seen from you, that vulnerability and that beauty,” Tyra said. “That’s what a lot of people don’t know about Mr. Cowell, is that he is a big soft papa.”