sway bar link had broken off?

I was driving along yesterday, and thought I kicked up a rock. As I drove along and got closer to home, probably 20 miles or maybe a bit more, it felt like the tranny dropped down, I felt that through my shifter (manual). I was able to get it home and up on to some ramps that I have. It's still sitting there. What I saw was a part hanging down. I'm not too sure how to describe it, but it had a bolt go through it, and I looked up "oiles," as that was on the part, and I believe it's some sort of bearing. There is also an arm on the piece that looks like something might attach to it. The bolt goes through a bracket on either side of a bushing (including through the bushing), with the bushing attached to the bar that goes from the front to back of the engine compartment, looks like a barrel to a double barrled shotgun. I jacked up the tranny and such to match the holes up, but I ran out of time. After a long drive to the in-laws, I was realizing that there may be more to that part, and that's probably what fell off and made the loud sound. I'm wondering if you know of what these parts are called, and what they do and why they are important? I'm going to check out the service center at a dealer today, but I went to three auto stores yesterday and they had no clue. I'm just thankful I have my wife's car to drive around. Thanks for the help!