How to upload file in google chrome extension without opening new tab

I am currently developing a Google Chrome extension and I need to be able to initiate a file download from a popup. The idea is that the user clicks on the link and the download starts. I can do this by creating a new tab and setting the download link url, but I would like not to open a new tab, or at least open and close it as soon as the download starts.

Can I do what I want? How? Is it possible to do this programmatically, from the event page?

Thanks for any help.