( CNN ) -- Returning to late night after more than half a century earns you an entire evening for yourself . At least it did for Barbra Streisand , who was the sole guest and musical act Monday night on `` The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon . '' In honor of her appearance after a 51-year absence , Fallon insisted that Streisand sit in his host chair behind the desk . `` Let 's be honest , you 're never coming back here , '' Fallon joked . `` This is special . '' The legendary star -- who has been open about the stage fright that kept her from performing for years -- was on the show to promote her new album titled `` Partners . '' The project is a series of duets with singers , including Blake Shelton , Michael BublÃ© and Stevie Wonder . There is even a virtual performance with the late Elvis Presley . Fallon filled in for some of those partners Monday night as he sang a medley with Streisand . Later , he expressed his nervousness about having the star on the program given her reputation for being difficult . `` I thought you might be a nightmare , or a diva , but you were nice to everybody here , '' Fallon said . `` You are allowed to be a diva . What did you do with Barbra Streisand ? ! '' The singer even Instagrammed a photo of herself getting makeup done for the show with the caption , `` Last touches ... getting ready for Jimmy . # thetonightshow . '' As for how Fallon matched her pipes during their duet , Streisand jokingly deadpanned , `` I would n't give up your night job , '' before saying that she and her husband , actor James Brolin , are big fans of Fallon and his show .
Barbra King last appeared on ` ` The Tonight Show '' 51 years ago . She and host Jimmy Fallon appeared together . He said he expected the star to be a woman .