Hi Ronald,
Welcome to Yamaha Synth!

I tried out a MODX7 lately and wasn't thrilled with the keyboard feel...the action being too soft and the keys being different. I connected it via midi to my MOX8 and notices that it would only track the original sound (Piano) and not the layered sound. Is there a work around for that?

The workaround is learning how the MODX works. Unlike your MOX8, AWM2 normal programs (non-drum Kit), are not limited to just eight Elements, as you can link as many as eight 8-Element normal AWM2 programs under KBD CTRL... this requires you know how to setup the MIDI I/O Modes.

When the "MIDI I/O Mode" is “Multi” (the default), the MONTAGE/MODX is able to transmit (8) and receive (16) on multiple channels, simultaneously; Each of the KBD CTRL Parts transmits and receives on the correspondingly numbered Channel.
When set to “Single” it transmits and receives on a single, selectable channel. All KBD CTRL Parts will sound on the selected channel.
When set to “Hybrid” it will transmit and receive on a single selectable channel for all KBD CTRL linked Parts, and each non-linked Part will transmit and receive on its correspondingly numbered channel.

You can use the I/O Mode that best serves your particular system setup requirements.

Thanks, I'll try that. The difference in the quality of sound still baffles me though.

Me too. You should look into that...likely a setup error.
You should find most (if not all) of the MOX Voices, as Single Part MODX Performances.