Cook, 34, will perform twice on November 12 at MSG, where only a handful of comedians have ever headlined the full arena – including Andrew Dice Clay, George Burns and Bob Hope.

Cook considers the gig an honor. “It’s almost like being in ‘The Matrix.’ It’s a bit surreal,” said the comic in a phone interview. “I always had hopes of doing something at the Garden with the knowledge that only a couple of comedians have ever done it.”

Cook’s performances are the finale to the third annual New York Comedy Festival, which runs November 7-12, and also includes acts by Howie Mandel, Denis Leary, Mario Cantone, Jim Norton and Artie Lange.

The New York shows represent yet another pinnacle for Cook, who earlier this year performed at the Fleet Center in his hometown of Boston. The show, “Vicious Circle,” was also an HBO comedy special.

“One thing I learned back in Boston – and this is key in acting or other areas of performance – is feeling like you’re leading the crowd of people, whether it’s 300 or 3,000 or 20,000,” says Cook. “You really have to give off an energy that you’re in charge – you know, ‘Follow me.'”

Cook will perform at MSG on a round stage in the center of the arena. The fan-friendly comedian is also considering an approach similar to a recent Beastie Boys documentary where the band handed out cameras to a few dozens fans and compiled the results.

“For me, it really will be about how many times I walked by (Madison Square Garden) when I first moved to New York City to be a standup comic,” he says. “I’d think how I’d like to have my name blinking on that sign.”