There are so many things that it could be...
Just so we're all on the same page, your /reference face/ is what's not flat? And only this one time with the 8mm bit/tenon?
If your typical usage is the 6mm, are you applying pressure the same with the 8mm as you do with the 6mm? Plunging slower with the 8mm than the 6mm to account for the increased resistance of the larger bit?
Any chance the piece or the machine moved on you?
Have you tried again on some scrap with tight-loose?
Have you tried on scrap with loose-loose and tight-tight, to verify it's cutting the same on each piece of wood when the width setting doesn't change?
Obviously the loose setting should only change the width of the mortise from side to side, not the thickness, but I wonder if there's a small offset happening because of a stuck something or other.