The 64-year-old actor arrived at the film festival in Sicily to unveil "Trashed", a documentary about the world's waste problems which he produced and starred in, reported Daily Star.
He attended a screening and hosted a discussion for students and journalists, before being handed the Taormina Arte prize during a ceremony at the packed Teatro Antico venue.
Festival artistic director Mario Sesti called Irons "one of the greatest living actors" as he presented him with the award.
The 59th annual event was struck by tragedy when it emerged 'The Sopranos' star James Gandolfini, who was due to be honoured with a prize at the closing ceremony of Taormina, died in Rome after reportedly suffering a heart attack.