Suits against the surety or sureties on the bonds mentioned in Sections 208 to 212, inclusive, of this Article may be brought by any claimant or his assigns, at any time after the claimant has ceased to perform labor or furnish materials or both and until the expiration of 150 days after the period within which verified claims may be filed as in this Article provided. The filing of such a verified claim shall not be a condition precedent to the maintenance of an action against the surety or sureties on the bond mentioned in Section 208 of this Article and an action on said bond may be maintained independently of any other action whatsoever. Upon the trial of any action mentioned in Sections 208 to 213, inclusive, of this Article the court shall award to the prevailing party a reasonable attorney's fee to be taxed as costs.