Love hearing about hidden recipe gems like that! Tried a similar swap in my own baking last year, using honey and orange zest in shortbread. The honey gives such a deep flavor that plain sugar just can't match. My family now refuses to eat the old version, they love the new one so much. How did the texture turn out with the honey? I sometimes find it makes things chewier.
Heard from a baker friend that honey does make baked goods softer. She suggested sprinkling raw sugar on top before baking to add crunch back. Works pretty well in my experience.