You may probably want to move them. Wait 24 and check near the plants with a hand trowel to see how far the water his migrated. Some soils will transport the water horizontally and some will not.

Can a soaker hose be placed too CLOSE to the stem of a tomato plant?

I doubt if the tomato cares how close the hose is. You may want some space for weeding, side dressing with fertilizer and the like. I havn't done tomatoes in years but when I did I had automatic sprinklers on times which would be wasteful now days.

I think this photo from another forum demostrates better placement but both you and this used should let it drip longer IMHO!

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:290341}}