Sorry to hear someone ripped you off - at a party in your own home no less...
Several software manufacturers, and Apple itself, will send periodic prompts to update the software on your computer (Adobe, Microsoft, Norton, etc).
Therefore, it seems possible that the criminal mastermind that swiped your notebook, may at some point try to download a free upgrade and thereby tip-off the software company as to their IP address.
Depending upon how valuable the contents were, it might be worth pursuing.
In any case, good luck getting your computer back!
ADG