Steven Tyler Pays Tribute to ‘Dear Friend’ Hayden Panettiere

Steven Tyler and Hayden Panettiere stayed close after working together on “Nashville” … and the rocker is shocked by the loss.

A photog got the Aerosmith frontman while he was out on Tuesday … and at first it seemed like he didn’t want to talk — but then Hayden was mentioned.

Check out the video … the two clearly formed a bond while working together on the popular ABC series — where Tyler did a few guest appearances as himself.

As you know … Hayden died on Sunday in a South Carolina apartment … after she was found unresponsive.

TMZ broke the story … Hayden and her boyfriend Brian were both inside an Airbnb in Greenville on Sunday afternoon when his brother Zach entered the residence and found Hayden in a chair in the living room, suffering cardiac arrest while Brian was asleep in a separate room.

First responders were dispatched to the residence and attempted life-saving measures … but Hayden could not be revived and was pronounced dead a short time later.