Is there any type of API for altbinz or something similar that I could use to recieve updates about the status of downloads in another application?
No API, but this might be helpful:
Setup > Miscellaneous 2 > check 'Enable Status in XML file' option
Then look for the altbinz_status.xml file in your Altbinz directory: it's dynamically updated with the current speed, queue size, ETA, etc., and you can toggle the Connect button by changing <connect>true</connect> to <connect>false</connect> and vice versa.
Otherwise there's the mIRC integration, but someone else will need to help you out with that.

-Hecks