i would say that the fealing you experience,or you were experincing was a "pump".the fealing ocurrs when there is more blood being pumped into the area then out.I believe that adding a set of "triples" will help for your pumps, doing three difernt exercises for one muscle.try this without taking breakes between sets, for example
preacher curl 10 reps
alt.
dumbell curl 10 reps
single.arm cable curl 10 reps
do these three sets without a break...pause if needed and then repeat untill you have given yourself a good workout.This should help for a great pump.