The shy bookseller Tonio is secretly in love with a waitress called Julia but does not know how he can get to know her better. After work he often goes to the café where she waits on tables. In his fantasy world he as often made the first move but in reality he has not managed to get anywhere with her. His best friend Schnitzel convinces him to dedicate a song to Julia in the forthcoming music contest as he is thinks it is important to woo women. Women don't want bookworms -- they want heroes.

Tonio is not too enthusiastic about the idea in the beginning but lets himself get talked into it as there is no chance of catching the attentions of his dream woman without taking risks. Schnitzel has had to end his musical career so he sees this as a chance to re-open that book and gives Tonio singing tuition. Tonio is hesitant at first but the more he gets in to the music, the more his confidence grows. When they hear about the forthcoming Radio Stella newcomer festival, Schnitzel can hardly contain his excitement and starts putting a band together right away. Not even the news that his old rivals “Illectronic Rock” are also entering the contest can curb his enthusiasm and he looks forward to the confrontation.

Tonio finds himself caught up in all this and is not too comfortable with the situation. At the same time, Julia's former sweetheart Raphael returns from Australia to continue his successful career as a lawyer back at home. He invites her to a candlelight dinner with the intention of re-kindling their relationship. Suddenly, as if Illectronic Rock were not enough, Tonio has yetanother competitor. Tonio is suddenly in the spotlight and has rivals he did not even know existed until a few days ago. Things are looking good at the newcomer festival.

His band have come armed with some great songs and his self-confidence has risen to heights he never thought possible. Julia is in the audience with Raphael and her best friend Anna and is looking forward to Tonio's appearance. Schnitzel talks to his ex- girlfriend Denise before the show and we are told of her affair with Robert, the singer with Illectronic Rock. Meanwhile, Robert lures Tonio away from the backstage area and locks him in a broom closet. Tonio panics as no-one can hear his screams. When the time for his performance arrives, he can just about hear Schnitzel cancelling their appearance as they cannot find their singer.

Tonio is discovered by a Radio Stella employee and immediately rushes to the concert hall. Just when it seemed to all be over, he plucks up his courage and goes on stage to sing the song for Julia which he had been writing in the past few days. In a quick speech he apologises for the delay and dedicates the song to Julia.After the performance he leaves the stage to the sound of the audience applauding and goes outside. Julia has follows him out and thanks him for the beautiful song and his courage.  

 Just as the situation seems to be reaching a romantic climax, Julia says “this is too much”. Tonio is confused. A flashback of the story is shown. Suddenly we see Tonio back at the beginning of the film in the cafeÃÅ where Julia works. She brings him the bill but does not have change for his 50 Euro note. Tonio cannot speak. He communicates via pen and paper. It becomes clear that Tonio has thought out the whole story of music and romantic gestures. He has woven guests and workers from the cafeÃÅ into his story. In a conversation between Julia and Raphael, who in reality also works in the cafeÃÅ, it is revealed that Toni had a bad accident a year ago and that his vocal chords are damaged.