I don't think you're going to find a specific cite, but the limit is a limit on compensation. The bonus isn't compensation, according to the plan. So you wouldn't limit comp and then reduce comp.
Because of this, the 414(s) test gets harder to pass. Since you aren't actually impacting this HCE, the exclusion doesn't apply. If it's the only HCE and the staff have any bonuses excluded, you're very likely to fail that test.
I hate compensation exclusions for this reason.