I had this happen one time when the only flight with seats was on a 8 hour layover, they said anything over 6 hours could NOT be checked through to the dest anyway. So I go to leave the secured zone pick it back up, and when I went to check the bag again and enter the secured area the agent asked if I wanted a ticket for a flight in 45 minutes and I took it(gave it free too!)
Bad thing was every time this has happened(twice now)I have gotten SSSSed....