Surprise! Comedian Louis CKperformed at the Paradise Tuesday night. Fans who are on the comedian’s mailing list learned about the show via an e-mail Tuesday morning. Tickets to the show were priced at $20 and could only be purchased in person at the Paradise box office. A line formed early and the tickets were gone quickly.

This isn’t the first time CK, who grew up in Newton, had surprised local fans with an impromptu performance. A few years ago, CK sent an e-mail to folks in and around Somerville who had purchased something from his website letting them know he’d be doing three shows at the Somerville Theatre. Those, too, sold out immediately.