Medics used lasers to diagnose abnormal tissue on Reuben Hill, 22, so the operation was much less invasive than traditional procedures.
During the operation, which affects tissue very close to the part of the brain that controls speech, Mr Reuben was woken up and asked to talk and sing.
He sang the hymn 10,000 Reasons by Matt Redman.
Whilst lying with his brain exposed to doctors he sang: "Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me, I'll still be singing when the evening comes."
He was diagnosed with epilepsy and a brain tumour after being found collapsed in his bedroom.
"It was a big surprise. I was a fit, healthy person and in the judo team," he told the BBC.
Doctors have since said the tumour was not cancerous and the operation was a success.
The BBC journalist covering the surgery commented that it was the "moving culmination to a remarkable piece of surgery".