The singing great, who died of cancer in January 2016, beat The 1975, Michael Kiwanuka, Kano and Skepta to win British Album of the Year award at the ceremony, which is UK's biggest music awards show.
Noel Gallagher announced the winner and presented the award to David's son, director Duncan Jones.
"I lost my dad last year but I also became a dad. And I was trying to work out what I would want my son to know about his grandad. He's always been there supporting people who think they are a little bit strange or different so this award is for all the kooks and all those who make the kooks. Thanks BRITs," Duncan said.
Speaking about the icon, Michael - who starred in 'Bowie's "Lazarus" musical - quipped that he wouldn't have attended the BRITs even if he was alive.
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"If David Bowie could be here tonight, he probably wouldn't be here tonight. But I am here tonight on behalf of his family to accept this testament to a man beholden to nothing but his own imagination," he said.
One Direction won the British Video award, and Liam Payne accepted on behalf of the group, who are currently on hiatus.
Meanwhile, Little Mix dedicated their British Single of the Year award at the BRITs to their exes.
The girlband - comprised of Perrie Edwards, Jesy Nelson, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Jade Thirlwall - won for "Shout Out To My Ex" and thanked their own past loves in their acceptance speech.
Jade said, "Thank you so much. We honestly didn't think we were gonna get it, we were just sat there chinwagging. We'd like to thank our label Sony, Syco, Simon (Cowell), our amazing A&R, our management, and us girls, because if it wasn't for our friendship, we wouldn't still be going.
Edwards' former fiance Zayn Malik's "Pillowtalk" to take home the gong.
Rag'N'Bone Man, who was awarded the Critics' Choice Brit Award in December, picked up the British Breakthrough Act and declared himself speechless when his name was called out by presenters Nick Grimshaw and Rita Ora.
After winning the gong over his competitors Anne-Marie, Skepta, Blossoms and Stormzy, he said, "I just want to say thank you to all my fans. You've been amazing and I appreciate your votes so much. I don't know what else to say, I'm speechless but thank you so much, honestly."
Katy Perry, Bruno Mars, The 1975 performed during the ceremony.
Ed Sheeran and Stormzy wowed the crowd with a collaboration on "Shape of You", while Coldplay also teamed up with The Chainsmokers before BRITs Icon Robbie Williams closed the show.