IRUN and PlusArgs

I am having issues trying to pass a $plus$args using IRUN.  Anyone have any clues?  Can we NOT use the +plusarg on irun command line?  

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irun command line:

**   irun -file simopts/rtl_opts.def -file chipfiles/chip_rtl.h -file chipfiles/chip_tb.h -top test -input scripts/core_test.rtl.0.tcl  +mytest

Code snippet to check for +mytest

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// Code snippet to check for +mytest

 if ($test$plusargs(“mytest”)) begin

    $display("FOUND MYTEST");

end

// Here is what I see on the failed attempt to run simulation, which appears during elaboration step.

         Top level design units:
                test
if ($test$plusargs(âmytestâ)) begin
                              |
ncelab: *E,CUVHNF (./tbsource/tb_test_apcm_demo.sv,39|30): Hierarchical name component lookup failed at 'mytest'.
irun: *E,ELBERR: Error during elaboration (status 1), exiting.