The effect of $TiO_2$ nanotube (TNT) and nanoparticle (TNP) composite photoelectrode and the role of TNT to enhance the photo conversion efficiency in dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) have investigated in this study. Results demonstrated that the increase of the TNT content (1-15 %) into the electron collecting TNP film increases the open-circuit potential ($V_{oc}$) and short circuit current density ($J_{sc}$). Based on the impedance analysis, the increased $V_{oc}$ was attributed to the suppressed recombination between electrode and electrolyte or dye. Photochemical analysis revealed that the increased Jsc with the increased TNT content was due to the scattering effect and the reduced electron diffusion path of TNT. The highest $J_{sc}$ (12.6 mA/$cm^2$), Voc (711 mV) and conversion efficiency (5.9%) were obtained in the composite photoelectrode with 15% TNT. However, $J_{sc}$ and $V_{oc}$ was decreased for the case of 20% TNT, which results from the significant reduction of adsorbed dye amount and the poor attachment of the film on the fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO). Therefore, application of this composite photoelectrode is expected to be a promising approach to improve the energy conversion efficiency of DSSC.