Colin Farrell explains friendship with Elizabeth Taylor

(CBS) When Elizabeth Taylor was laid to rest last week, Colin Farrell was one of the few non-family members reportedly in attendance. He also recited a poem during the service.

Now, Farrell is sharing how he became friends with the screen icon, who died of congestive heart failure at the age of 79.

Pictures: Elizabeth Taylor, 1932-2011
Special section: Remembering Elizabeth Taylor

"How did we become friends? You know, the old story of boy meets girl, and boy pesters girl with too many phone calls at inappropriate hours of the night," he joked to "Access Hollywood" at CinemaCon 2011 in Las Vegas..

"I was just lucky enough to become her friend in the last year and a half," he added. "I adore her...still."

In an interview published in the March issue of Harper's Bazaar, Taylor had high praise for her friend.

"I love Johnny Depp, and I love Colin Farrell - both brilliant, nuanced actors with great range," she said.

Farrell confessed that he was nervous when he recited "The Leaden Echo and the Golden Echo" by Gerard Manley Hopkins at the actress' funeral.

"Elizabeth chose it. It was a tricky poem as well," he told "Access Hollywood." "Even in passing she had me under the thumb, sweating bricks."

"I just miss her; I just miss her; I just miss her," he added.