GOOD QUESTION!
I've got a rowhome with a similar problem and there is NO information on these star bolts anywhere, and yet you can see them on 10% of the rowhomes in Philadelphia. Maybe its a masonic secret.

From what I understand, bowing facades are anchored to the first 3 or 4 floor joists with a series of bolts on a threaded rod. Bowing side walls, like you said need to be anchored to the opposite wall, unless, I suppose, you built a strong box between two joists. What you CAN'T do is move the wall or pull it back to plumb... all these do is prevent further bowing.

This is the best resource I have found:

Here is a link that might be useful: Bulging wall site